Reiterates opposition to garbage plant
TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
CALANGUTE: Reiterating its opposition to the proposed North Goa Garbage Treatment Plant at Calangute, the Calangute panchayat has also alleged that many of its developments works for the village had been stalled at the behest of Calangute MLA Michael Lobo.
At a Gram Sabha, Panch and de facto leader Joseph Sequeira was critical of Lobo interference regarding development works in Calangute, while responding to a query from a resident regarding the pending development works in the village.
“We had drawn up a plan for the development of Calangute village in consultation with the MLA of Calangute and Chief Minister. These works included the Calangute Beach Promenade, parking facilities at Calangute-Baga, repairs of the High Mast at Calangute, a bus bay at Calangute Market, besides a market and a garbage treatment plant. However, many of our developments works have been stalled at the behest of the MLA of Calangute,” said Sequeira.
“The Bus Bay at Calangute market was stalled and Section 144 was imposed, while the road-widening works from Calangute Association to Hotel Charlston at Khobra Vaddo was stopped and they were handed over to the GSIDC. However, the GSIDC has failed to complete the works causing much inconvenience to the villagers of Calangute,” added Sequeira.
When another resident raised the issue of potholes on the road from Calangute Association to Khobra Vaddo, Sequeira said the road is being done by the GSIDC.
“The panchayat has no say over these road works. It is for the GSIDC to complete the road works as the Calangute Panchayat was asked to stop the developmental works,” said Sequeira.
Responding to queries on the proposed North Goa Garbage Treatment Plant at Calangute, Sequeira said: “It is surprising that the Calangute MLA intends to collect garbage from surrounding villages and dump it at the Calangute plateau. We will oppose the dumping at the site as the garbage will create a mess at the plateau.”
“If the State government has plans to dump garbage, then composting units will have to be set up to cater to the garbage collected from surrounding villages or else, residents of Calangute and surrounding areas would be the ultimate sufferers,” he said.
When asked further if such garbage treatment plants at Germany were located on the hills or low-lying areas, Sequeira clarified that the projects were located in the valley and not atop the hills.
“The cold climate in European countries was vastly different from the hot and humid climate in Goa. Besides, the estimated area for these projects was not beyond 30,000 sq. mtrs. The Calangute Panchayat was not taken into confidence over land acquisition of more than 1 lakh sq. mtrs from the Calangute Communidade,” said Sequeira.
Sequeira also informed the Gram Sabha members that Calangute Panchayat has decided to do away with Sopo collection for fish and vegetable vendors, but added that the Sopo collection for Saturday market would continue.
Other issues pertaining to hot-mixing of roads, internal road works and a park at Baga were also discussed at the Gram Sabha.
Earlier, Sarpanch Geeta Porob welcomed the members while Dhiraj Govekar was the observer at the meeting.
