MARGAO: The burning of waste in public spaces continues in Margao Municipal Council’s (MMC) jurisdiction despite citizen groups raising concerns with regards to environmental and air pollution.
The fire incident reportedly continuing for a day near the Durga petrol pump at Fatorda due to waste dumped on the roadside is indeed a cause for concern.
The lack of intervention or response from authorities has raised questions on the efficiency and promptness of the local emergency services in handling and managing waste.
Fatorda residents said that the act of individuals by setting fire to a significant quantity of waste, including a massive amount of coconut shells, is alarming and irresponsible. Deliberate acts of arson not only pose immediate risks to public safety but also contribute to environmental pollution and air quality issues.
“Swift action needs to be taken to address the fire aftermath with a proper cleanup and by implementing measures to prevent such incidents in the future,” said Dilip Naik, a resident of Fatorda.
The site where the waste was burnt is one of the black spots identified by the civic body. The fact that municipal officials are often seen monitoring the area reveals the illegal dumping of waste at that specific location.
“This underscores the need to adopt a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of such issues, including stricter enforcement of waste disposal regulations, increased surveillance, and community engagement.
It’s essential for the Margao Municipal Council to take proactive measures to prevent illegal dumping, impose penalties on violators and work towards a long-term solution to eliminate black spots in the area and prevent setting fire to waste,” said Ronny Fernandes.
