TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: It was considered prime space, but the new market complex at Upper Bazaar in Ponda has quickly driven away customers ever since manure generated by organic waste converters (OWCs) have been stored in the basement of new market complex.
Shopkeepers and vendors have complained that the manure generated by the OWCs in the basement of new market complex is driving away customers.
“Ponda Municipal Council’s (PMC) temporary facility to treat garbage through OWCs in the basement of new market complex may have solved garbage disposal problem, but the manure generated from the machines kept to dry is becoming nuisance for shopkeepers and vendors,” complained a shopkeeper.
Shops owners, including hotels, in the vicinity of temporary garbage treatment facility, claimed that since the OWCs were installed, their business has been affected due to the foul smell.
It may be recalled that PMC had launched three OWC machines with a total capacity of 4.5 tonnes in July-end in the new market complex at Upper Bazzar, Ponda.
“Several shops in the vicinity of garbage treatment facility have been severely affected, especially hotels, due to the flies and foul smell that emanates from the tonnes of manure that is kept to dry,” said Budhwarpeth Vyapari Sanghatana President Shankar Naik.
“I’m not saying that PMC should stop machines, but something has to be done so that business is not affected,” added Naik.
PMC recently decided to construct three sheds at its site at Keriye in Curti-Khandepar Panchayat to dry tonnes of manure generated by OWCs.
When contacted, PMC Chairperson Dr Radhika Nayak said the issue will be solved once the facility is developed at the Keriye site to dry manure generated by OWCs.
“Garbage treatment facility in the basement of the new market complex is temporary and alternate sites are being developed. We have already decided to construct sheds at Keriye to dry manure generated by the OWCs and I urge people to cooperate in this initiative,” said Dr Nayak.
