Team Herald
PANJIM: Despite having a solid waste management (SWM) plant at Cacora in Curchorem constituency, the municipal council was dumping garbage in residential area creating health hazards to the locals.
The agitated residents along with Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar on Friday marched to Mantralaya Porvorim to meet Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane. Since he was not there, the delegation met Waste Management Minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate.
Monserrate told them that after watching the incident on social media, he had already instructed the managing director of Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) to take immediate measures to stop dumping of garbage in the residential area.
Patkar said that though an action was taken to stop dumping of garbage in the presence of police and health authorities, the same evening garbage was again dumped in the residential area. He alleged that this was another way of land grabbing, by dirtying the place and then compelling the owners to sell land at cheap rate.
Giving ultimatum to the government authorities to take preventive measures to stop illegal dumping by Wednesday, Patkar said, “Don’t force us to take law into our hands. We will take the garbage-laden vehicle and throw it garbage in front of the residence of Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral.”
Kavalem’s tourism infra needs urgent attention
Team Herald
PONDA: Kavalem, renowned for its famous Shantadurgatemple, is in dire need of improved roads, parking facilities, and additional amenities for visitors. The local tourism infrastructure, particularly the abandoned tourist complex built two decades ago, has fallen into disrepair and has become a dumping ground for garbage and debris.
The premises is littered with construction waste, mud, thermocol, dry wood, and general refuse, creating an unsightly environment for visitors. Localshave been demanding the removal of this debris andthe demolition of the complex to make way for much-needed tourist parking. The lack of adequate parking spaces has led to buses and cars being parked on the main road, causing significant traffic congestion.
Sources within the Panchayat have informed that they have reached out to the Tourism Department multiple times regarding these issues, but little progress has been made.
Additionally, the roads leading to the tourist spot are riddled with potholes.
Local Panchayat member Vithoba Gaude has raised the dire condition of the Galashirem-Kavalem road with the local MLA and Power Minister, who has assured that repairs will be conducted.