They were shocked at the foul odour and stated that it was a severe hazard for the area.
“We had no clue about the menace, which came to light after the news appeared in Herald. After inspecting the site, we are convinced that that the impact of the stink bomb on people is very serious, and thus, we have decided to table the issue before the council in the forthcoming meeting,” said councillor Sharad Alias Nitin Chopdekar.
According to Chopdekar, the MMC is the only municipality in Goa to ban plastic in its jurisdiction. However, people continue using plastic, which comprises 60 percent of garbage at the treatment plant. Only 10 percent of waste gets treated, while the rest accumulates daily. He added, “There should be an instant solution to the increasing mess. As people living around the plant are the biggest sufferers, we have decided to raise this issue at all possible level in the state administration.”
Councillor Saifullah Khan informed that the council had adopted a resolution and sent the same to the administration seeking speedy upgradation of the garbage plant. However, the same was still pending due to various obstacles. He said, “The situation is deteriorating daily with the rains, and thus, I request the local MLA and ministers to take up the issue before the administration and ensure that the plant is upgraded.”
Councillor Fiola Rego said, “A private company is managing the affairs at the plant, but it failed to handle the plant efficiently. We had taken up resolutions to remove the company, but we cannot remove them as it has signed a 20-year agreement with the MMC. The only option is to upgrade the plant. Vasco-based industrialist Narayan Bandekar took up the issue before the concerned department seeking upgradation. Hopefully the same would become reality soon.”
