TEAM HERALD
PORVORIM
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has directed the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) to stop dumping of unsegregated waste at Assagao Plateau and to initiate various measures to tackle garbage in Mapusa town within a month.
The GSPCB has threatened to initiate stringent legal action under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 against MMC if it fails to comply with the directives.
The GSPCB has instructed the MMC to stop dumping of unsegregated waste at Assagao Plateau by deploying adequate security at the dumping site and to dispose the dumped unsegregated waste at Assagao plateau in an environmentally sound manner.
The GSPCB has also asked the MMC to put up a system in place to resolve garbage collection and disposal in Mapusa.
The MMC has been directed to ensure that all composting units installed at Mapusa town are effectively operated and to set up additional composting units at Mapusa town.
Besides, MMC has also been instructed to install adequate garbage bins at specific locations at Mapusa town, particularly at the KTC bus stand and market area, and to stop dumping of waste from slaughter houses in the Mapusa market into the Nullah located near the Deputy Collector’s office.
The GSPCB has further directed MMC to desilt the Nullah, which is presently chocked with municipal solid waste and waste water from the market area, and to install sufficient septic tanks at Mapusa market.
Acting on a compliant from Shiv Sena Ad-hoc member Philip D’Souza, the GSPCB had inspected Mapusa town in September 2010 and had issued a show-cause notice to MMC on September 20, 2010 regarding the garbage issue.
Following a personal hearing on February 22, 2011, the GSPCB had issued directions to MMC on March 17, 2011, to take necessary measures to ensure cleanliness in the town.
The GSPCB inspected Mapusa on November 9, 2011, but observed that the MMC has not complied with the directives.
The GSPCB then issued a second notice to MMC on December 30 directing the municipal body to comply with the measures within 30 days and submit a detailed action plan.
