Team Herald
PANJIM: A day after expressing their vehement opposition to plans for expansion of garbage treatment plant, the Saligao residents on Sunday blocked as many as 18 trucks transporting uncovered garbage to the plant.
The group led by Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar stopped the trucks at the entry point of the village demanding that only Calangute and Saligao waste be accepted at the treatment facility.
“The trucks are continuously entering our village carrying garbage from different parts. The garbage is also not covered due to which all the leachate is flowing onto the roads. We won’t allow these trucks to go to the plant. Let them get the permission to dump garbage at the facility,” he said supported by huge crowd including the panchayat.
Angry locals pointed out to uncovered trucks and the leaching on the roads warning the government they will not tolerate it anymore. Around 18 trucks including those carrying waste from Taleigao and Colva were stopped forcing police intervention.
Sarpanch Shraddha Borkar said the villagers are unanimous to ensure Saligao is not turned into garbage capital. “We will not accept such garbage. The leachates are on the roads. It is polluting the village as well creating an unhygienic atmosphere. We are breathing the foul smell of the unsegregated waste,” she said adding, “Saligao is heritage village and we won’t allow it to become a garbage capital. The government should recall that then chief minister Manohar Parrikar had said that the plant will accept and treat only Saligao and Calangute garbage,” she added.
The locals pointed out to one systematically covered truck carrying garbage from Calangute stating that authorities should not take cleanliness for granted.
More than 500 people on Saturday protested the move to expand the garbage facility at Saligao in a meeting held near panchayat. They also threatened to stage a satyagaha and block the trucks from entering the village with garbage.
Salgaonkar, who also supported the cause, has hit out at Minister for Waste Management Michael Lobo over plans of the plant’s expansion. “We do not want another Sonsodo,” he has said.
The police have registered an offence based on a complaint from the locals. The trucks violating the safety rules were also detained. These trucks from Taleigao were seen coming via Pilerna road to the garbage treatment facility.
It is learnt that the trucks, from which more quantity of leachates began leaking were sent back to their original destination. The police assured to deploy a patrolling car on the route leading towards the plant.
