Sancoale village is struggling with a severe waste management crisis, despite the establishment of a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) intended to address the growing garbage problem. According to a recent audit, the panchayat has overspent on the plant, yet waste continues to pile up, with little improvement in clearing the village.
Garbage heaps are now a common sight across Sancoale, with residents comparing the situation to a village-wide dumping ground. Moreover, untreated wastewater from the garbage is being released into nearby agricultural fields, rendering the soil unsuitable for farming. Farmers are now unable to cultivate crops, with the polluted land posing serious health risks if tilled.
Local social workers accuse the elected representatives, the panchayat, and relevant authorities of ignoring the crisis, which is severely affecting the community. The MRF plant, intended to process and segregate waste, has not been operational for the past two months, leading to a mountain of unprocessed garbage.
RTI activist Narayan Naik attributes the waste crisis to the proposed mega projects in the area. He also points to improper waste disposal by residents and a neglected MRF shed as contributing factors. "The rise in garbage in Sancoale is largely due to the influx of mega projects, as well as residents throwing waste on the roads during early hours. Immediate cleaning of the MRF shed is necessary to address this issue," Naik said.
Panchayat member Maurelio Carvalho revealed that the panchayat spends approximately Rs 15 lakh per month on waste transportation, including charges for loading and unloading. Despite this high expenditure, the garbage continues to accumulate at the MRF plant.
Carvalho also highlighted the impact of monsoon rains, explaining that rainwater mixing with the waste further contaminates the underground water supply. "Sancoale has become another Sonsodo," he remarked.