23 Apr 2024  |   05:53am IST

Despite CO’s orders, MMC workers dare to disobey; still burn garbage in the open

Locals breathe smoke and pollution every morning; waste burning continues unabated not only at black spots in Margao but also at municipal garden

Team Herald

MARGAO: Despite strict directions from the Chief Officer, incidents of garbage being set on fire are witnessed increasing in the jurisdiction of the Margao Municipal Council.

Admitting that there is no mechanism to keep strict vigil on such activities, the civic body has warned their workers of action if found engaged in burning waste, resulting in pollution.

On the other hand, it has been revealed that workers engaged by the Forest Department at few locations, especially at the Municipal garden of which part of the garden is being maintained by the department also found setting the waste on fire.

It is pertinent to note that garbage workers engaged by the civic body noticed dry waste being set on fire in the morning hours, despite knowing the fact that garbage collection vehicles will reach the site to pick up the same.

Besides incidents of garbage being set on fire at the black spots continues in recent days.

Reacting on the issue, Paresh Naik, a citizen of Margao said that the civic body needs to come out with some action plan so that such type of activities are stopped completely.

Garbage being set on fire by the workers of the civic body proves that there is no mechanism to stop it. Actually, the civic body needs to appoint some of its supervisors to only check on the fire incidents, he urged.

Peter Fernandes, a citizen of Fatorda informed O Heraldo that many a times he had questioned the MMC workers on the issue and requested not to set the waste on fire but in vain.

Such incidents will stop only if strict action is initiated against those workers engaged in setting the waste on fire. Such type of waste will surely result in more pollution causing major health issues in the near future, he stated.

However, Gaurish Sankhwalkar, Chief Officer, MMC said that he has given instructions to the garbage collection workers and supervisors not to set fire to dry waste in the open.

Earlier. we had an issue with regard to disposing of the palm leaves; however, after installation of machinery at Sonsoddo dump yard, the major problem has been resolved. The civic body has even informed the forest department to issue guidelines to its workers engaged in maintaining the garden and other areas not to set the dry waste on fire, he stated.

The Chief Officer also admitted that proper mechanisms can help to stop such activities and his office is working on the same.