Sonsoddo signifies the challenges of the garbage menace across the State and the collapse of governance at the local bodies level, which have failed to address the issue and seem clueless about any foreseeable credible solution.
The incident that occurred on Tuesday, in which wet waste leaking from trucks during the late evening hours at Sonsoddo led to five riders skidding on the road and hurting themselves in a span of 20 minutes, presents the darkest side of the reality. Angry locals from Curtorim and Raia rushed to Sonsoddo no sooner the news of the accidents spread like wild fire, and demanded action against Margao Municipal Council (MMC) for criminal negligence. Those present at the spot, including the Curtorim MLA, alleged that MMC officials did not respond to calls.
Two months ago, O Heraldo had reported that on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, as the nation paid tributes to the Father of the Nation by engaging in ‘Swachchata Hi Seva’ campaign launched by the Centre, it was a shocking revelation to know that the people at the epicentre of Margao’s cleanliness have been at the receiving end. The daily wage labourers handling waste at Sonsoddo dump were compelled to have food without washing their hands and beg for water at the nearby households, on account of no water supply for two months.
Dreams of a prosperous state stand shattered with the garbage menace growing out of control, and it is a crying shame that neither the State government nor the local self-governing bodies are able to bring about any change. There has been almost zero progress on the ground as when one looks around. Garbage blackspots have cropped up at almost every street corner, along the highways and bypasses, and stray dogs and cattle are found feasting upon the waste.
An analysis of the Sonsoddo issue would suggest that the government is hell bent on troubling citizens. A school functions in close proximity of the Sonsoddo garbage dump, and the children and the staff of the school are constantly exposed to the gases emerging from huge mounds of garbage. A number of parents have expressed concerns about the wellbeing of their children and the effect the gases could have due to the prolonged exposure to the garbage.
Tuesday’s incident exposes the loopholes in the system and manner in which the Sonsoddo garbage transportation is managed. Firstly, the trucks carrying the wet waste need to be properly sealed and so that waste does not leak on the roads. Secondly, even if the worst occurs, there has to be an emergency protocol in place that should be activated inorder to avoid the accidents that occurred injuring bikers. What compensation has been provided to the injured bikers for their injuries and the damage caused to their vehicles? For too long, such type of incidents have been occurring, but the victims rarely demand compensation from the municipality or the village panchayat.
On Wednesday, the blame-game, accusations and counter-accusations within the corridors of power at MMC were out in the open, with the Chairperson accusing the Chief Officer of neglecting his duties and vice versa. The MMC over the decades has not just failed in solving the garbage issue and created a mess for itself, it has also miserably failed on various fronts such a recovering outstanding dues, the decay of the treasures in the library, etc.
Goa is perhaps the only State in the country with a dedicated Waste Management Ministry, and which has a local apparatus for ensuring that that the garbage menace is tackled. Despite the focus placed by the Central government through Swachchta Mission, the triple engine of development has failed Margao miserably. After struggling to take care of the garbage, MMC has been now transporting the wet waste to the Cacora plant (which is yet to be inaugurated officially) and the Saligao plant.
If the government fails to act in time, the likes of Sonsoddo are bound to take shape in various municipalities and villages. The State government needs to derive better solutions when the tides are still on its side. As the proverb stands, a stitch in time saves nine.
