TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: Ponda Municipal Council’s (PMC) efforts to revive the old abandoned garbage disposal site at Bond-Baag to treat wet garbage using Organic Waste Converters (OWC) have been opposed by the ward councillor.
It may be recalled that a couple of years ago, PMC had abandoned the site following opposition from the residents.
With new OWCs in place to treat garbage, PMC had plans to use the old abandoned garbage disposal site at Bond-Baag, located on the boundaries of PMC and Bethora village. PMC claimed that such machines are environment-friendly and would effectively treat wet waste.
Incidentally, such machines are already in operation near the PMC building in the city and another at Yeshwant Nagar in the ward represented by Councillor Venkatesh Naik.
However, PMC’s plan to revive the abandoned garbage site at Bond-Baag is now facing resistance from ward Councillor Nidhi Mamlekar.
“What is the guarantee that there will be no pollution? Residents have suffered and we don’t want any garbage plant at Bond-Baag. Even the place opposite the site, which is utilised to store plastic waste, has become a nuisance. Filthy water from plastic waste has flown in the low-lying areas,” said Mamlekar.
Mamlekar had put forth her concern during the council meeting, but some other councillors felt otherwise.
“There won’t be any problem as garbage is being treated methodically. You can see it in my ward and even next to the municipality where such machines are operating. There is no question of pollution,” said Councillor Venkatesh Naik, while advocating the need to install OWC.
Added Chairperson Dr Naik, “We know that our councillor is concerned, but I will request Mamlekar to see the machines that are in operation. Garbage is being treated in a scientific manner and PMC will be a model example. Seeing is believing and I am sure fears will be taken care in due course of time.”
