PANJIM: After the frequent disputes between the Fomento Green and the Margao Municipal Council over Sonsoddo, the government seems to be inclined towards taking control of the Waste site at Sonsoddo and handing it over to Goa Solid Waste Management Corporation.
The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant held a High Powered Coordination Committee (HPCC) meeting at his official residence in Altinho, which included all stakeholders.
“We have taken advice of the experts and as per their advice, the work on dousing fire at Sonsoddo has started and we are hopeful the issue would be settled in the next three days,” Sawant told reporters on Friday.
He said the final decision on the Sonsoddo dump would be taken on June 4, when the HPCC meets again.
Emerging out of the meeting Dy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai said the issue of Sonsoddo was discussed at length.
“Chief Minister is of the opinion that the entire dump should be in the hands of Goa Solid Waste Management Corporation. We are also okay with it as we do not want to have control over the garbage,” Sardesai said, while adding the priority is that the people should not be inconvenienced.
The Dy CM also said that the Fire Force of Maharashtra and Mumbai Fire Chief, Dr Prabhat Rahandale, who is also the Director of Directorate of Fire Services, Maharashtra, had been requested to visit Sonsoddo.
“He did an aerial inspection by helicopter and recommended a course of action, which was followed in the Deunar case. Our people are looking into it and will implement it immediately,” he said.
Sardesai said that the entire dousing operation is under the South Goa District Collector.
“The approach is that the fire would be doused with a mix of debris and water. Not just water as it is creates smoke. The enzymes are used to remove the foul odour,” he said adding “the operation has been successful on the periphery but not in the middle as it is not possible to reach there as there is no access.”
Despite the tough operation, Sardesai said, he expects that by maximum three four days fire would be doused.
