On March 16 2016, Herald/HCN created history by bringing citizens and experts together and providing them with a platform to ensure that the majority of issues in the port town of Vasco could be addressed and that solutions to these issues could be found, thus helping the local body (Mormugao Municipal Council) to tackle them.
After a three hour long debate, the citizens and panelists collectively prepared a 12-point Vasco declaration and concrete assurances were given by MMC Chairperson Deepak Naik, that he, along with the councilors would initiate serious steps in taking up all issues.
It may be recalled that the debate centered around the inefficiency of the MMC in dealing with illegalities, their lack of vision in creating and maintaining infrastructure and their failure to properly coordinate with the state and central government agencies which has led to the deterioration of the port town. However, the core focus of the debate was on coal pollution, garbage, traffic congestion, parking, bad markets and dilapidated MMC owned buildings etc.
Ironically, even after 45 days, the MMC is yet to take serious steps in resolving or taking up any issues. The assurances made by Naik now seem to be just lip service.
TRAFFIC CONGESTION
The first issue taken up was that of traffic. The lack of a proper master plan was discussed, due to which the town is congested. Assurances came wherein the MMC would take the PWD, transport department and the PDA onboard and a joint meeting was to be called 15 days following the debate to address the issue and a ‘Traffic Master Plan’ would be finalized for Vasco. 45 days later, however, nothing has happened.
During the debate, Naik said, “Earlier there were no signboards, no-entry zones and people would park anywhere. But after I took over as chairperson, I started a drive with the police to tow wrongly parked vehicles. The new traffic plan will be initiated within 15 days.” However, the indisciplined traffic and parking menace still haunts the port town citizens.
“The MMC doesn’t require funding for such plans. Only proper coordination and a few amendments to the present system is needed. However, even for such a small issue, the MMC refuses to act. This is unfair to people,” said Nazir Khan, a panelist.
LACK OF DEVELOPMENT IN VASCO
The next point was to bring the MPT, Navy and corporate houses on board to coordinate development. Panelists opined that Vasco is a sandwiched territory between the Mormugao Port Trust, which says they are protected by the Major Port trust Act and has no concerns with the municipality. Likewise, the Navy says they are protected by the National Security Act. What is left is just 55 per cent of the town. Within this portion also, state government departments exists that work without coordination with each other and the MMC.
It was decided and assured by Naik at the debate that the MMC would hold meetings with all such departments for better coordination and central agencies like the MPT, IOC, Goa Shipyard would be contracted to support development in the town. Naik claims that quite a few meetings have been held but the coordination meeting is yet to take place. “We held quite a few meetings and it has been decided that under CSR, projects like beautification of gardens, streets, footpaths and road dividers would be taken up after the monsoons. Efforts are also on to call for a joint meeting with government departments to resolve the lack of coordination,” he mentioned.
GARBAGE
Another major talking point was garbage. Problems like improper collection of garbage by the appointed contractor, segregation of garbage at source and a few other measures were suggested and later it was decided that the MMC would start collection more effectively. Additionally, medical waste would be treated separately. It was also decided that fines should be levied on people who do not segregate their waste and dump it in the open. The MMC resolution for fines was to be taken up at the next council meeting. The MMC has partly failed and partly succeeded with regard to garbage.
“We are working on implementing the door to door garbage collection scheme which is currently at about 70 per cent. We want to improve that to 100 per cent. We are also on track to achieve our goal of making Vasco clean by May 15. First we are looking at improving the collection system and then we will concentrate on imposing fines on people,” Naik quipped.
He even promised to hold monthly meetings with the municipal garbage committee and citizens and hospitals. It was decided that councilors and NGOs would go from house to house to ensure that people segregate garbage and create awareness. Panelists Jennifer Luis Kamat and Alka Damle complain that the workers engaged for the task of collection have been performing their duties properly but are roaming with broken bins and torn plastic bags.
Kamat suggested that the MMC gives proper collection bins and impart proper training to workers on how to deal with the garbage.
Naik noted that apart from one meeting with an NGO led by Parshuram Shetye, no other meeting on the matter was held and other issues couldn’t be looked at due to limitations. “We have been working tirelessly to resolve the garbage issue entirely. We have already given new bins to the contractor that collects the garbage. Training wasn’t carried out and by the first week of May, we will have another joint meeting to review the progress,” Naik mentioned.
ILLEGALITIES AND VIOLATIONS
Another discussion was held on the issue of stilt parking violations where many buildings have converted the parking space into shops. Panelists and citizens demanded that the MMC should look into all such issues and act as per the law. It was also suggested that the MMC should submit a report to the PDA asking them to send legal notices to all such violators.
Interestingly, Naik has now changed his opinion on the issue as he finds it difficult to take action against violations done in the past. He, however, assures that in the future, the MMC would monitor all such violations and would even revoke permissions if new cases are reported.
PARKING ISSUES
To resolve the parking issues in the town, citizens and panelists demanded that the MMC kick start the work on the multi-level parking project. Naik noted that he would push this decision by May 15th. The proposal was sent to the government but due to some technical errors, the file was returned and was sent back after rectifications. Naik is hopeful that clearance for the project will be give soon.
COAL POLLUTION
The most important and pressing issue was that of coal pollution. Panelists and citizens blamed the MPT and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) for the pollution and said that the latter has been acting like a toothless tiger to control the menace.
All the panelists, including Savio Messias, Alka Damle, Jennifer Kamat, Mazir Khan, Francisco Nunes, Paresh Joshi, Deepak Naik and Fr Gabriel Coutinho accused the GSPCB of not making a serious effort to ensure that pollution control measures were implemented by coal handling companies at the port.
Damle was quick to point out that the pollution is due to the transportation of coal through the town. Joshi said that coal pollution can only be controlled if there is strong political will. Khan accused state BJP leaders of fooling people with false promises of making Vasco free from coal pollution once the party assumes power in the 2012 elections. Messias noted that coal handling by the MPT could not be stopped since the players involved are too big. Fr Coutinho urged the people to show their power to leaders and said that only then will things change.
On behalf of citizens, NGO and social activist, Tara Kerkar appealed to people to unite and tackle the issue. Jayant Jadhav demanded that the MMC should implement its resolution and stop transport to MPT. After lengthy discussions on the issue, the Chairperson appealed to the people to unite and assured that if people support the MMC, then he will stop coal transportation even if he has to defy government orders.
Under the declaration, it was said that the MMC would take this stand by the end of April. However, Naik now says, “We have already had one meeting with Environment Minister, Rajendra Arlekar and the issue has been discussed at length. Necessary orders have been issued to the concerned coal handling companies by the GSPCB. We are not waiting for the review meeting which was delayed as the GSPCB has been compiling comprehensive data on coal pollution. Once this is finished, we will take a call and if required, we will go ahead and stop coal/bauxite or even wood chip trucks with the support of the people. We will wait till the end of May and see, failing which, action will be taken.”
