TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: The Curti-Khandepar gram sabha was adjourned over the issue of garbage disposal project undertaken by Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) at Kerye-Khandepar.
It may be recalled that PMC recently constructed a shed to dry manure generated from Organic Waste Converters which are in operation in the city.
Few days back, villagers had raised objection to the proposed plans of PMC. Subsequently, the panchayat communicated the decision of the public to PMC and later PMC citing High Court directives informed panchayat that the area will be systematically utilised and denied having dumped garbage at the site.
When the issue of Kerye site came up for discussion, Sarpanch Deepa Naik read the reply from PMC, however this did not satisfy the villagers who demanded that panchayat should immediately asked PMC to stop the work. The villagers claimed that dumped manure has become nuisance as the area is infested with flies.
Later, the gram sabha was adjourned and the villagers along with panchayat members visited the Kerye site.
“There are several houses in the vicinity of this plant and as such diseases are likely to spread due to flies. Earlier, there were no flies here but have appeared soon after PMC started dumping manure at the site. Villagers are against this project and PMC should stop the activity at the earliest,” said Curti-Khandepar Panch Sandip Khandeparkar.
“PMC has not taken us into confidence and has already started the work. There are no permissions taken by PMC to construct the shed and other works. Villagers are of the opinion that PMC should stop the work and we will send a notice to PMC,” informed Sarpanch Naik.
The panchayat is now contemplating to approach the High Court over the issue. “We will discuss the issue during the panchayat meeting and accordingly take a decision,” added Naik.
Added Panch Khandeparkar, “The site is not feasible for this project, as there are couple of pipelines passing through the area. PMC has done various illegalities at the site and we will bring this to the notice of the court.”
