MARGAO: One of the promises made by the government and DefExpo organisers to the agitating locals was that after the event, everything will be dismantled as it was only a temporary four-day event. There was also a promise to clear the garbage generated during the event. And yet, four days after the event, the garbage is still left at the venue.
Before the event could begin, the organisers had approached the Cuncolim Municipal Council to allow the garbage generated at the event to be treated at the municipal treatment plant. The request was turned down by the CMC and the neighbouring villages of Assolna and Navelim, which had to bear the brunt of traffic jams throughout the event.
During the DefExpo, garbage was dumped in the adjoining village of Fatorpa.
“Look at the DefExpo garbage dumped in temple property at Fatorpa. It is a mix of dry and wet garbage. The temple management has leased this forest land to the contractor for garbage segregation. Does anyone in Goa care about the environment anymore?,” said Aashish Kamat, president of United Goans Foundations, who questioned if this was the legacy the Defence Minister wanted to leave behind.
Chinchinim resident Michael Benny Da Costa called for the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to look into the matter.
“I am not against the DefExpo, but there are some things the local authority should take care of. This garbage contract has been given to some Delhi company. Were they expecting that this garbage would be taken to Delhi by the company? GSPCB should look into this matter,” said Michael.
Social activist Dominic Noronha, who was part of the protests before and after the event, slammed the government for not bothering about the infrastructure-related issues like garbage management at the villages and for leaving garbage behind at the venue. “The ghost of the DefExpo continues to haunt the peaceful villagers in the form of this garbage menace. The sheer arrogance of the government in connivance with the organisers is seen at the site as they have failed to deal with the garbage, leaving the villagers to be burdened by it,” said Noronha.
Charles Da Silva of Orixtt Porjecho Awaz said that after the peaceful protest against the four-day DefExpo came to an end, they will continue to protest till it is ensured that no garbage had been left behind in their village.
