TEAM HERALD
CANACONA: Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) vowed to bring the culprits responsible for burning its Dumane garbage treatment plant (GTP) to book. CMC also decided to revive the defunct garbage treatment plant and install CCTVs at the Dumane garbage site.
In a specially convened meeting on Friday, CMC councillors and the chief officer spoke about stern action against the culprits involved in burning the GTP at Dumane.
“We will not settle for anything less than the logical end of our police complaint which will be only after tracking down the culprits responsible for the act of arson,” reiterated CMC Chairperson Simon Rebello.
CMC Chief Officer Sudhin Natu also stated that if the local police could not bring the culprits to book, then “we will not hesitate to approach higher levels and may also request to hand over the case to the Crime Branch to investigate the serious matter.”
Following the incident of putting GTP and garbage on fire at Dumane last Sunday, CMC resolved to appoint a security guard and post a labourer at the site and install CCTV cameras in and surrounding the Dumane GTP.
“We are making every effort to revive the defunct GTP by carrying out necessary repairs/replacements of the burnt machinery and have already written to the supplier to depute their engineers. However, till GTP is repaired, dumping of garbage will be continued at the site,” said Rebello.
“Old garbage will be moved to one side of the compound, while freshly brought garbage will be segregated at the plant and plastics will be treated with baling machine, while wet garbage will be treated at compost units,” added Rebello.
CMC will carry out extension of compound wall at Dumane GTP at a cost of Rs 35 lakh and also construct an approach road.
Another CMC request to acquire the adjoining land has been shot down as Pollution Board refused to grant its nod as the area is within the green and eco-sensitive belt.
Raising the issue at the meeting, CMC resolved to approach the Pollution Board again to accede to its request considering the shortage of sufficient space at the existing Dumane GTP and the court’s directives on the matter.
Raising concern over wayward dumping of garbage in different parts of the civic areas, CMC asked municipal staff to maintain vigilance. “The responsible staff will be provided with the assistance of labourers to keep a track of wayward garbage dumping in civic areas.”
