Team Herald
VALPOI: The residents of Patwal ward of Khotodem in Sattari have raised serious concern over dumping of chemical waste in an unused laterite quarry pit, which is situated close to the residential area.
The quarry was in operation for many years, but was stopped two years ago. Now, this pit is filled with chemical waste which may overflow during the rainy season. According to the villagers, a person has been dumping chemical waste in the unused quarry pit for the last one year and that it may have harmful effect on health of the people and the environment.
Expressing displeasure over the situation, a villager Vishnu Gaonkar said, “A truck is regularly seen dumping chemical waste in the pit, but the local panchayat is also not serious about the situation.”
A youth Subhash Gaonkar said that acrid smell from the quarry was causing irritation to the people residing in the vicinity. “However, despite our repeated demand for stopping dumping of chemical waste, the Khotodem panchayat have been neglecting the issue,” he added.
