MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) succeeded to dump mud and cover at least 60% of the Sonsoddo dump by Saturday evening. The smoke emanating from the 6-day long fire has resulted in uneasiness and respiratory troubles for some and socio-political troubles for many.
Digambar Kamat, Margao MLA, who visited the Sonsoddo site today said,”A similar fire had occurred in 2006 and it was decided to put mud and the fire was controlled. Here only water was considered for extinguishing the fire which kept it going from within”. He said that the situation is much better now.
MMC Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik, said that till afternoon the MMC had arranged at least 108 trucks of mud and dumped it on to the smoking heap at Sonsoddo. By evening the smoke from the dump reduced substantially. At least 35 labourers and several MMC officials have been continuously employed near the dump for monitoring.
The Manovikas School which is in close proximity on the eastern side of the dump has decided to delay its school reopening by 3 days. The school will re-open on June 6 instead of June 3.
Meanwhile, the health parameters of some of the people living on the western side of the dump were voluntarily checked by the Mamlatdar of Salcete, Prataprao Gaunkar with the help of 108 ambulance services. About 38 persons were then given alternate arrangements to stay at the Fatorda Stadium and were asked to leave after they willingly okayed for the same.
The Curtorim Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco has called a public meeting at Curtorim on June 2 at 5 pm besides a Curtorim gram sabha is scheduled in the morning.
