TEAM HERALD
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VASCO: The South Goa Collector on Thursday directed authorities to undertake various steps to restore areas affected by the Naphtha fire mishap at Dacktollem-Vasco.
A team comprising of Vasco MLA and KTC Chairman Carlos Almeida, Agarwal, Agriculture Director Satish Tendulkar, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes, Mormugao Deputy Collector Gaurish Shankwalkar, Mormugao Mamlatdar Laxmikant Desai and PDA member Ravi Luis conducted the site inspection of the naphtha fire at Daktollem.
Incidentally, the Zuari Indian Oiltanking Ltd (ZIOL) officials, who were directed by Collector South N D Agarwal to remain present for the site inspection, failed to attend the inspection.
The residents took the team around the area and showed them the dead trees which stand precariously and endanger lives and houses in the area. They also informed Almeida and Agarwal that other trees are dying due to presence of naphtha in the groundwater.
After listening to their grievances, Agarwal asked Tendulkar to supply coconut saplings and other fruit-bearing trees before the onset of the monsoon.
Almeida said he will get pits dug with the help of Mormugao Municipal Council by mid-April and requested residents to water the saplings.
Agarwal also directed MMC Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes and the deputy collector to arrange for pumps and cleaning of the wells to remove all traces of naphtha. He also directed authorities to cut all dead trees before the monsoon.
Responding to the plight of the victim boys who find it unbearable to withstand the summer due to various injuries they had sustained in the naphtha fire mishap, Almeida requested Agarwal to direct ZIOL to install air conditioners in the houses of the victims.
