TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: With Saligao-Pilerne locals apprehensive that Saligao dump may turn into Sonsodo at Calangute-Saligao plateau, local MLA Michael Lobo and Calangute Panchayat are hopeful of clearing the accumulated waste once the state-of-art garbage treatment plant becomes operational atop the plateau.
Residents of Saligao have been voicing their concern over the dumping site of Calangute Panchayat. They also fear that stench will spread in the villages due to frequent movement of trucks from Calangute and surrounding areas.
“We are very much concerned about the garbage menace which has been haunting our villages, but why should we allow garbage from other villages in our village and destroy forest and hills even polluting springs and wells,” asked a local.
“Last few years, dumping at the Saligao-Calangute plateau was in total mess and posed a threat to life and property and we don’t know whether it has been taken care of,” added the local.
However, when Herald visited the Calangute-Saligao dumping site, much improvement was observed at the site as compared to the state of affairs last few years. The garbage which lay scattered all over the site has been collected in a place but has become a huge dump.
The contractor entrusted with the work said it will be fenced with nets to avoid spillage. The quarry has been filled with the waste and will continue to remain there till alternate arrangements are made. The garbage is being received in a mixture and is segregated accordingly for decomposing, etc.
When contacted, Calangute Panch Joseph Sequeira said they have thoroughly cleaned the area, which was in total mess earlier. “Hereafter, we will provide the villagers two bins for collection of separate garbage (wet and dry). As far as accumulated dump is concerned, we will try and dispose it off once the garbage treatment plant takes shape,” added Sequeira.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said the people should not fear the garbage dump which has accumulated atop the plateau as it will be re-cycled.
“Remaining waste like plastic will be disposed off at a suitable site without posing a threat to either human life or property. We need the garbage treatment plant or else there will be no solution to the garbage woes which have been haunting the coastal belt of Calangute,” added Lobo.
