MARGAO: Alarming incidents of garbage fires, including the burning of thermocol, have led to severe air pollution in the vicinity of Verna Industrial Estate, following repeated instances of illegal dumping and raw sewage discharge. The lack of vigilance on vehicles entering the industrial estate has allowed culprits to freely bring garbage from outside the area and dump it near the estate.
Local citizens are demanding immediate action against those responsible for creating this nuisance, while the Verna Industries Association has called
on concerned authorities to collaborate in resolving the issue.
On Tuesday, labourers were caught setting ablaze a massive heap of garbage, including thermocol, that had been dumped along roadsides and open spaces. A concerned individual was also observed cleaning up the dumped garbage, diligently filling it into garbage bags. Despite awareness that burning thermocol poses a pollution hazard, the labourers resorted to setting it on fire.
Over the past three days, multiple incidents of garbage dumping and the discharge of sewage into open fields have been reported in the area, falling under the jurisdiction of Loutolim and Verna village panchayats. Caetano Fernandes, a resident of Verna threatened a public protest if the authorities, including those associated with the Verna Industrial Estate, failed to address the menace adequately. “If left unchecked, such incidents will lead to significant health hazards for both industrial estate workers and local residents,” he said. “The lack of fear among those involved in illegal dumping and garbage burning is evident from the recurring nature of these incidents,” he added. Pradeep Da Costa, President of Verna Industries Association, stressed the urgent need to establish a system to combat this menace in the vicinity of the industrial estate. Da Costa clarified that most of the dumped garbage and sewage originate from outside sources and that the industries within the estate should not be held accountable.
Da Costa mentioned that his association is collaborating with the relevant local authorities to devise effective measures. “We plan to beautify some of the open spaces in the vicinity of the industrial estate, mostly where garbage is being dumped by unknown miscreants,” he said.
