VASCO: After coal, spillage of woodchips on the city roads continues to haunt citizens and other road users in the port town.
Irked and disappointed citizens have now demanded an explanation from the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) whether the council still stands by the resolution stopping trucks carrying coal and woodchips, or has it taken a U-turn on the issue.
The anger of citizens grew after they noticed spillage of woodchips at different stretches on F L Gomes road on Tuesday morning.
“Last year, when MMC adopted a resolution to stop the trucks carrying coal and woodchips due to spillage of cargo (coal and wood chips) on the city roads, we thought the MMC has taken a bold stand this time and surely people of port town would get relief. However, we were wrong. Till date, the council has failed to implement the resolution, proving it only as a lip service,” said Vinayak Kumbhar, a businessman and a resident of Vasco
Vasco based social activist Raje Kiran said, “During the recent public hearing on MPT’s expansion plans, Vasco citizens had highlighted various factors resulting in pollution; one among them was spillage of coal and woodchips cargo on city roads. Now, every second day, we find either coal or woodchips spilled on the road from trucks plying from MPT.”
“Doctors say that these woodchips pollution could lead to nasal cancer still no action has been taken by MMC, government or even by MPT. We feel that MPT has been trying to kill people with such pollution,” he said and demanded that the MPT either take serious steps to curb such pollution or face mass protest.
Replying to the allegations, MMC Chairperson Deepak Naik affirmed that the municipality still stands by its decision to stop coal and woodchips transportation.
“We are firm and will stick to our decision. Now, since people have brought to our notice another case of spillage of cargo on city roads, I will not only take up the matter with MPT, but will also take some serious steps to resolve the issue permanently within this week. But at this moment I will not disclose our plans,” Naik said.
Meanwhile, after herald brought the issue of spillage of woodchips to the notice of MMC Chief Officer Deepali Naik, she immediately issued directions and got the road cleaned by MPT.
