The officials of the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA), Chicalim Panchayat officials, forest department officials, officials of the health department and others had to face the ire of citizens during a site inspection that was held near Naval Armament Depot (NAD), Chicalim on Thursday.
“We had complaints about the stench of cow dung and bovine urine emerging from the cow shed located adjacent to NAD, however all our complaints fell on deaf ears and thus we felt agitated because we feel that the concerned officials are deliberately ignoring our complaints for reasons best known to them” said Cynthia Lima Leitao Miranda who is a complainant in the case.
On Thursday, MPDA Member Secretary, Arthika Nanda called for a joint site inspection to personally verify facts at ground zero. However, she failed to turn up for the site inspection which was attended by a junior level officer. This further incensed the citizens who were anxiously waiting to question senior officials and hence unloaded their wrath at members of the state administration who were present at the inspection.
“This was the second site visit where gross violation of the Town and Country Planning Act including Section 17A pertaining to hill cutting, nuisance under Goa Panchayati Raj Act 2010 as well as the Environment Protection Act has occured rampantly.
Yet MPDA, Chicalim Panchayat and the Health Department have failed to act which forces us to feel that there is some connivance of officials since our complaint is against an influential doctor from Vasco” said Miranda.
“The stench of cow dung and bovine urine is so unbearable that I spend the day away from home,” she added. Her ordeal is shared by over half a dozen families who have built expensive river view bungalows behind Chicalim’s Cottage Hospital.
According to sources, the MPDA had, in 2011 given permission for construction of a small shed for cattle near NAD gate in Alto Chicalim to the Vasco based physician.
However, it is alleged that over the years, the number of cows increased and the stench from cow dung and bovine urine has naturally increased as well. The shed is located at the bottom of the hill while these residents have their houses at the top and this causes a lot of hardship to their daily lives due to the inconvenience caused by the foul odour.
“We have invested money only because of the view that this site offers with the sea and greenery in the horizon. However, ever since the time this cow shed has been operational, we are unable to live in our homes due to the stench,” said Girija Menon who is a property owner at Teoluz Gardens in Alto Chicalim.
Meanwhile the protest against the cow shed gained momentum after officials of the Indian Navy joined the agitated citizens. “If MPDA and the Panchayat keep allowing these people to operate their business; the naval establishment here will end up catching fire and razing the whole of Vasco to ashes” warned the Deputy General Manager of the NAD, Sanjay Kumar Dubey.
The Indian Navy has also submitted reports to the Goa State Pollution Control Board that point out that the large volume of urine and cow dung is infecting the groundwater with high doses of the dreaded E. Coli which contaminate bore wells and open wells in the area. But Chicalim Panchayat officials are avoiding taking any action. Even the issue of hill cutting was raised by the residents after unknown persons illegally cut the hill which threatens the home owners.
As the issue was against the cow shed, the Herald reporter contacted the owner for his views. He, however, he refused to comment on the issue and pointed out that his cow shed is legal and he has received permissions and that the allegations against him are false and made only to malign his image.
