PANJIM: The four-day Carnival held recently at Samba Square (near Church Square) in the capital city by the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has not only affected the business of local establishments there but also left a trail of garbage accumulated in the drains.
Those, who attended the event threw the left overs and plastic packets of foods on the newly laid road and also inside the drains, without giving a thought to the fact that it may cause choking of drains. While the road has been cleared by the CCP workers but the proprietors of business establishments situated there pointed out that the drains were full of left overs and food packets, which is not only emanating foul smell but may also pose health hazards for the locals.
The businessmen also complained that due to the event they had to incur loss for about a week which was like adding salt to wound as earlier the business was already hit due to digging of the road which was taken up as part of the Smart City work for four months.
“For the last one week we, had no business. The sound was so loud that it was causing vibration in the shops. Even we were not allowed to come to our shops after 5 pm as bouncers were deployed there. Had it been for one day it could have been tolerated but it pains when we have to incur loss for a period of seven days. We already had incurred loss due to closure of the road for four months. We were told that the road work will be completed by Christmas but it took four months to complete the work, Vishwajit Goltekar, proprietor of Goltekar General Stores, said.
Babar Sayed, owner of Sayed Abass, said, “The business was down for the last one week. We already had suffered losses for four months. Articles inside the shop were shaking due to the loud music. We had to close the shop by 6 pm.”
Cornellio Fernandes, Director of Herald Publications, said, “People, who attended the event, threw anything anywhere. Road has been cleaned but it is superficial. The drain is full of bio-waste. If it is not cleaned then it will get decomposed and will stink. If it rains, it will choke the drains. CCP workers have cleaned the road but the drain too requires to be cleaned as it filled with left over food and plastic.”
However, when contacted, CCP councillor Edward George, said, “There is possibility of the drains getting choked if left over food is thrown inside. I will speak to the Mayor and ask him to direct the workers to get he drains cleaned, otherwise it will create nuisance and health hazard.”
Local ward councillor and Deputy Mayor Sanjeev Naik said that he is aware of the thing and had already asked his workers to clean the drains.
“I am aware of the issue and have asked my workers to clean the drains,” Naik said.
