Team Herald
MARGAO: Despite a report submitted to the High Court of Bombay at Goa and the petition being disposed of, deplorable conditions have resurfaced at the Sonsoddo dump yard with the residents of Raia, Curtorim, Rachol, Fatorda, and Margao, united under the banner of Citizens for Sonsoddo (CFS), expressing their frustrations and concerns about the ongoing issues at the dump yard, including the lack of proper garbage management and the ineffective functioning of baling machines and machinery to treat waste.
They alleged that leachate is flowing in the open area instead of being released into the tank, and huge quantities of waste are lying unattended.
Alleging that there is still no proper garbage management at the Sonsoddo dump yard, the Citizens for Sonsoddo has warned that it would re-file a petition before the court and has submitted a memorandum to the civic body demanding immediate action.
It claimed that not a single baling machine is operating at the Sonsoddo, and the machinery dumped at the site to treat the wood and other waste is unable to deal with the huge quantity.
Speaking to mediapersons, Roque Mascarenhas, CFS secretary stated that following a personal visit to Sonsoddo, several grave issues have been observed which indicate the failure to adhere to both the letter and spirit of the status report submitted to the High Court by the Margao Municipality.
“The conditions at the site are deplorable, raising serious concerns about public health and environmental safety,” he claimed with evidence.
He said that none of the bailing machines at the site are in working condition, resulting in dry garbage being strewn across the area.
“This not only hampers proper waste management, but also creates an unsanitary and hazardous environment. Non-compliance of the status report, the current state of the site suggests a significant
lapse in implementing the measures outlined in the status report of a particular concern is the lack of progress on the 15 TPD bio-methanation plant,” said Mascarenhas.
He said the mismanagement of the site has led to pervasive bad odour, severely affecting residents in the vicinity, including those residing in the nearby villages of Curtorim constituency. This poses significant health risks to the community.
“The present situation at Sonsoddo is unacceptable, and hence need immediate and effective action to rectify these issues. The failure to property manage the site not only contravenes the directives of the High Court but also fails to meet basic standards of public health and environmental protection,” he added.