PRATIK PARAB
pratik@herald-goa.com
The roadside of the Arlem-Nuvem link road has become a haven of construction waste debris for entire Salcete. Construction waste is being dumped daily on these roadsides. Herald Team clicked pictures of some of the sites wherein fresh debris was dumped. Who takes care of the roadsides which don’t even have illumination, is a question locals and commuters now ask.
Panchayats and Municipalities in Goa have been, on Friday, directed by the High Court to clear roadside debris in their areas by May 30. This move was prompted after Adv. Aires Rodrigues filed a petition regarding the Ribandar roadside debris dumping. The government has informed the High Court that they will have flying squads to monitor enforcement of the order.
Now, bypasses and major state roads in Fatorda and Margao are completely defaced by debris, building construction material and recently hot mix tar carpet layers too. The debris is likely to enter the fields during the monsoon.
Tonnes of debris have increased to such an extent that vehicles can’t see approaching vehicles from the other side on turns. One of the above photograph reveals how the turns on the Arlem Nuvem Link road have become dangerous specially during the night due to low visibility.
The uncontrolled dumping at this road is a showcase of how the authorities have turned a blind eye to the real issues.
Similarly, the lane off Ravanfond Junction leading towards the Railway station has been a favourite dumping spot for decades. At present there is not any type of garbage that is left to be dumped here on this road.
The PWD has been giving earth for various projects like highways, grounds and others which need filling. But sadly, this construction waste which can be a good land fill has never been looked at as an option, says a source. The authorities have not even thought of having dumping sites for such waste with the Sonsoddo plant going into a cold storage.
This dumping has not just caused defacement of roads but also lot of trouble to the farmers on the sides of the road. Joanita Barbosa, growing vegetables for a living in the fields besides the road, said: “We have been complaining regarding this problem for years now, but the situation hasn’t improved.”
Farmer Idalina Barretto said the inert waste like broken tiles, glass slabs of cement have spoiled the mud in the fields. “The permeability of the mud has reduced to such an extent that the lowered moisture content in the land can be felt now” said Idalina.
Joanita said there was an incident where a truck was seen dumping some waste and when questioned he fled the spot in high speed. “One of our farmers tried to get hold of him but was not successful. We filed complaints but there is no respite from the problem of dumping debris,” Joanita added.
A social activist Laurel Abranches said: “I am surprised how this degradation of roadsides continues even after a case is being heard in the court. It is time that the civic authorities and responsible panchayats get the mess cleared immediately.”
Laurel also questioned the MMC for not following up and completing the landfill site which if in place on time could have avoided this degradation.
The Goa Government on Friday submitted before a Division Bench of the Bombay High Court at Goa comprising of Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Prithviraj Chavan on the steps being taken to tackle the dumping of debris along the roads. It will be interesting to see what measures the authorities will take on the dumping of debris on these roadsides of Margao and Fatorda, says a farmer.
