19 Oct 2017 | 06:09am IST
CMC’s garbage plant lies in self-created mess
It is sad that the unnecessary controversy of stalled work at the garbage treatment plant and the change of contractor has put a blot on Cuncolim Municipal Council, which is one of the municipalities that has been successfully treating and collecting garbage
Vijaykumar Kopre Cuncolim
The much-talked-about Cuncolim Municipal Council’s garbage plant that boasted of easing the woes of Cuncolim residents is today, quite literally in a mess, due to its callous attitude and sheer negligence.
Initial investigation has revealed loads of dry and wet waste dumps lying at CMC’s garbage treatment plant at Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
Sources revealed that since last month the contractor had stopped work at the garbage treatment plant. In fact, the disappointed contractor told this correspondent that the Council had not paid him three months dues and have not renewed his contract, which is why he had to stop work at the plant.
However, CMC sources have revealed that the Council had decided to stop the services of present garbage treatment contractor and had decided to give the contract to a Mumbai-based company, which had in principal agreed to treat both dry and wet garbage in a scientific manner.
Sources also revealed that the new contractor would be paid more than the present contractor. But the Council has not yet completed the agreement formalities and if all goes well, new contractor will commence work in November.
As of now, the council is collecting dry and wet waste by the routine door-to-door collection system and is also collecting heavy fees for collection and garbage disposal.
As the contractor has stopped work for the past 15 days, at the garbage treatment plant, piles of garbage dumps have accumulated. And as wet garbage has not been treated, a foul smell has been emanating from the plant, much to the irritation of the residents.
Unfortunately, one of the best garbage treatment plants is turning into Sonsoddo dump site. But the Council remains optimistic about their plans and claim that the mess would be set right by next week.
Council sources said they will clear the mess as soon as possible and will also resolve the issue of contractor
Meanwhile, locals have blamed the Council for their poor and faulty planning, and hope the mess would not continue for long and would be cleared soon.
One of the locals said if the system would have been monitored properly, this situation would not arise. Council workers, who are engaged in the garbage dumping work, also complain that it is difficult to work at the plant due to the strong stench.
Locals also complain that the CMCs unplanned and lethargic attitude is responsible for the mess and are also irritated at the Council’s recent decided to increase the garbage fees.
Former chairperson Lavita Mascarenhas blamed the ruling group for the mess.
It's definitely the faulty planning of the Council, if not, why was the contractor not paid for his services and his contract not extended till the new contractor took charge. There is stink and stench everywhere at garbage plant and the ruling group must go and see the mess for themselves, Lavita pointed out.
The present contractor says the Council is cheating him, as he has been not paid for the last three months. I took loan from others to feed my family and my workers. I told Council to pay my fees and extend the contract but they refused, he said.
Many locals are also of the opinion that the change of contractor was not necessary and the contractor was doing a good job.
Some locals also pointed out that there was a recent controversy between the Council officers and the garbage contractor which went viral on social media and the contract was terminated merely to take revenge.
It is sad that the unnecessary controversy has put a blot on CMC, which is one of the municipalities that has been successfully treating and collecting garbage in Cuncolim.
