PMC, Khandepar reach deal on garbage treatment facility

TEAM HERALD

bureau@herald-goa.com

PONDA: The joint meeting of Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) and Curti-Khandepar Panchayat on Tuesday seems to have reached a consensus over PMC’s garbage treatment facility at Kerye-Khandepar.

The meeting was convened by Ponda Deputy Collector Johnson Fernandes to sort out the ongoing tussle between PMC and Curti-Khandepar Panchayat over PMC’s garbage treatment facility which is being developed at Kerye in Curti-Khandepar Panchayat.

According to information, Fernandes, who is also PMC’s chief officer, decided to hold the joint meeting due to rising opposition from the villagers and even the panchayat had refused to attend PMC’s meeting to discuss the issue.

It has now been decided to give one month’s time to PMC to rectify the shortcomings.

“After detailed discussion, the panchayat members have understood the seriousness of garbage management, as it is not limited only to Ponda. The panchayat members have assured to cooperate and PMC will also take some stringent measures to control the influx of flies that could be resultant of the manure that has been kept to dry at PMC garbage treatment facility at Kerye,” informed Fernandes.

“Measures will be adopted to eliminate flies and as temporary measure, PMC will stop using the place to dry manure. Subsequently, PMC will work to develop the garbage treatment facility and will also invite panchayat and local residents for an inspection,” informed Fernandes.

Fernandes said PMC will continue to use the market basement to dry the manure generated from Organic Waste Convertors (OWC) which are in operation at the market basement.

According to information, based on the High court directives, PMC resumed the work to set up garbage treatment facility at Kerye and erected shed to dry manure generated from OWCs.

However, PMC had to face stiff opposition as villagers claimed that there was influx of flies due to the manure which was kept to dry at the site. Fearing disease outbreak, villagers demanded that PMC must immediately stop using the area for the purpose.

PMC Chairperson Dr Radhika Naik along with councillors and Curti-Khandepar Sarpanch Deepa Naik and panchas attended the meet. Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar who could not attend the meet due to prior appointments informed that the issue needs to be sorted amicably. “Prior to the meeting, I met Fernandes and discussed the issue,” informed Mamledar.