The taluka of Bardez is facing a major burning problem in the form of garbage. There are seven constituencies in the taluka and a lone garbage treatment plant at Saligao, which was meant to cater to the needs of entire North Goa. Around 110 tonnes of garbage is treated at the Saligao plant and that too only from the village panchayat areas of Calangute, Saligao and Anjuna, while the other constituencies are left to fend for themselves.
The elections are over and the result is awaited. It’s a tradition that during the election campaign every candidate promises to solve the problems, be it garbage, roads, water and electricity.
Even during the recent poll campaign, they took up the major issue of garbage in their manifesto but the big question is whether this poll promise will be fulfilled or not?
The MLAs, ministers, ZP members, panchas and sarpanchas have failed to provide a solution to this burning issue for many years.
It may be recalled that the Bombay High Court had ordered the panchayats to have garbage dumping sites in their area but the village bodies claim that there is no place available in their respective areas to dump waste.
The situation in some places has been such that if there is a place available then it is met with stiff opposition by the residents who say it is a residential area and waste should not be dumped in their area.
And a result of this, garbage is found littered all along the road and at times in fields.
When Herald sought the suggestions from Bardezkars for solving the garbage issue, this is what had to say.
A local on the condition of anonymity said, “It is not the government who has to take initiative to solve the problem but the people themselves should follow instructions to make Goa clean. Instead of blaming the government, they should try and reduce the use of plastic and stop dumping garbage in open spaces.
Another local Subhash said, “The best way to solve the problem is to set up CCTV cameras at each location where garbage is dumped. Those dumping garbage at these locations should be fined and this will help solve the issue.
A visit to Siolim, which is one of the tourist destinations, one can find the garbage littered all around. Tourists who visit Goa for its beauty and beaches are surprised to see waste.
Anil Kumar Nagvekar, a local said, “Bardez taluka faces a major problem in the form of garbage. The municipality and panchayats clear the garbage from the dumping sites, but people again dump waste at the sites, which remains there for days. It is necessary that the concerned authorities maintain a strict vigil at these sites and fine those responsible for dumping garbage or set a time for dumping the waste.
Sources informed that Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) had planned to hold a discussion regarding the implementation of CCTVs last year but failed to do so.
When contacted, Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council, Sandip Falari said, “Currently due to the Model Code of Conduct everything is pending. We have already taken a decision to install CCTV cameras. Now, we only have to identify the areas and once the code is removed we will implement the same.”
Mapusa town has its garbage plant situated on the Assagao plateau where 35 tonnes garbage is treated on daily basis.
