MARGAO: Frustrated by the persistently mishandled garbage issue that has plagued Margao for decades, residents are directing their blame towards the Margao Municipal Council and local political leaders for their ineffectual approach to the problem. According to many prominent citizens in Margao and neighbouring villages, the recent improvements in addressing the Sonsoddo dump yard mess have only materialised due to the intervention of the High Court.
In recent days, O Heraldo has shed light on various aspects of the garbage crisis in Margao, as well as the strong opposition from the residents of Saligao and Cacora regarding the transportation of Margao’s waste into their villages for treatment. These residents are already feeling the brunt of a crisis not of their making.
Despite substantial financial investments in waste management, there appears to be no concrete plan from the authorities involved.
Roque Mascarenhas, the petitioner whose legal action prompted the High Court to take notice of the Sonsoddo garbage issue and compelled the civic body to take immediate action, squarely places the blame on the Margao Municipal Council.
Mascarenhas expressed disappointment that despite access to resources and intelligence, the civic body and political leaders had not demonstrated seriousness in resolving the garbage crisis. It was only after the court’s intervention that authorities began to show urgency in addressing the matter.
He called for the High Court to consider appointing an administrator for the municipality to restore order to the situation.
Robert Vaz, a prominent Margao resident, joined the chorus of criticism directed at the civic body and the local MLA for their inability to address the long-standing garbage management issue.
“It is disgusting to witness the garbage menace and the mess at the Sonsoddo dump yard continue for several decades. By now, the civic body and the concerned political leaders should have come out with a solution on garbage management that would have set an example to other cities and villages, but sad to say that the situation at Margao has gone from bad to worse,” said Vaz.
Ghanashyam Shirodkar, MMC councillor and former Chairperson, expressed disappointment over the lack of seriousness displayed in tackling the issue, highlighting the substantial funds spent on the remediation of the Sonsoddo legacy dump, with little to show for it. Shirodkar pointed out that transporting waste to other areas, which has become necessary, reflects poorly on the municipality and the concerned MLA.
BLACK SPOTS GALORE: Davorlim-Dicarpale P’yat bolsters surveillance, fines to deter roadside dumping of garbage
MARGAO: Concerned by the growing problem of garbage littered along the roadsides, the villagers of Davorlim-Dicarpale have threatened to resort to street protests if regular garbage clearance is not maintained. The residents have also taken their concerns to the High Court, seeking swift action to address the garbage nuisance and mitigate the potential health hazards in the village, situated barely five km from the Sonsoddo dump site.
In response, the village panchayat has launched a renewed cleaning drive and imposed fines on individuals responsible for dumping waste in open spaces.
Herculano Niasso, the Sarpanch of Davorlim-Dicarpale, stated that the panchayat has taken proactive measures to address the problem, by installing CCTV cameras at various locations where garbage dumping has become a regular occurrence.
“We recently used our CCTV cameras to identify and apprehend several culprits caught dumping waste on the roadside. We not only required them to clean up the site but also imposed fines,” Niasso stated.
He claimed that those responsible for creating the roadside garbage nuisance are primarily migrants, or people from other villages.
