25 May 2022  |   06:30am IST

Multi-level parking space at Margao turns into Sonsoddo 2.0

Piles of stinking dry wastes affect business around; Dumps exposed to rains raise concern and locals fear health hazards that may ensue; MMC assures to transport dry waste dump to Saligao Waste Treatment Plant
Multi-level parking space at Margao turns into Sonsoddo 2.0

MARCOS GONSALVES

MARGAO:  The multi-level parking space at Margao, in the heart of the town, has turned into second garbage dumping site after Sonsoddo. 

The dry waste piled up at the site has affected the commercial activities around for several months. Vendors and shop owners have urged Margao Municipal Council (MMC) to get rid of the waste before monsoon in order to avoid major health hazards over here. 

However, MMC has assured that all the dry waste dumped at the site will be transported to Saligao Waste Treatment Plant by next three-four days. 

MMC has stopped the dumping of dry waste at Sonsoddo dump yard due to shortage of space there and nearly 15 tonnes of dry waste is now dumped there on daily basis at the parking space just behind the municipal building on a daily basis. 

Presently there are only two baling machines over there and that too without shade. The capacity of these machines and the garbage coming in cannot be matched, and as a result it gets piled up day by day. MMC has deployed nearly 35 workers over there. 

It has been further revealed that the stink is unbearable leading to major setbacks to the commercial activities. 

The shed-less dumping ground and the exposure of these dry wastes to rains has also raised serious questions on maintenance of the two baling machines installed over here. 

Speaking to Herald one of the workers engaged at sorting out the waste said that earlier they were transferred from Sonsoddo to the present site at Margao.

Shop owners around complained that garbage is getting piled up since the stoppage of waste at Sonsoddo. 

"This is a space meant to build the multi-level parking project. However, now it has turned up to be a second garbage dump yard after Sonsoddo. The stink is unbearable," says Vishwas Patil, a shop owner. 

He also expressed fear of major health hazards if the dump is not cleared before the arrival of monsoon. 

"Yes, many of us have lost business due to the garbage. Customers are avoiding coming here, as they cannot bear the stink,” complained Patil. 

Another lady vendor selling fruits just five meters from the garbage dumping site expressed anger for losses due to the mess over here. 

Admitting that the dry waste dumped at the parking space has been piled up in the recent months MMC Chairperson Pereira said that the area will be cleared within next three to four days, as the Goa State Pollution Control Board has granted them permission to transport the dry waste at Saligao treatment plant. 

"We will be transporting nearly four to five trucks of dry waste to Saligao treatment plant on daily basis, and hence it will reduce the dumped piled over here, said Pereira.  


IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar