MARGAO: Is another Sonsodo in the making right at the entrance to Fatorda at Chovoth – an area opposite the district hospital under construction?
This question has come to the fore as an inspection carried out by the Margao Urban Health Centre has unearthed open dumping of waste in the locality. The same area was in the news last year after locals had objected to the disposal of garbage in pits in the paddy fields. Though the Margao Municipality had excavated and lifted away the waste from the site, open dumping of garbage in the same locality has come back to haunt the residents.
Margao Urban Health Centre in-charge Dr Sanjay Dalvi told the media after the inspection that the open dumping of the waste is against the norms in force and promised to initiate action against the illegal dumping by sending notices to the persons concerned. He also assured the local residents that he would intimate the matter to the Margao civic body for action against the illegal practice.
The inspection came following a complaint lodged by local residents led by Armando Crasta, who had complained of foul odour emanating from the waste dump. “When we had complained against the nuisance last year, the civic authorities had got the waste cleared from the site. But, waste is being dumped openly in the area, posing nuisance and a health hazard to the local residents,” Armando said.
He has demanded immediate action against the persons dumping waste in the open, alleging that hotel waste from Salcete’s coastal belt finds its way to Chovoth-Fatorda.