MARGAO: The Shadow Council for Margao (SCM) on Friday demanded strong action against the delay over the completion of the baling sheds proposed for the baling of dry waste.
Speaking to media persons Savio Coutinho, Convenor of SCM informed that the baling is lying idle at the site for the last several months.
It may be recalled that three works for the construction of dry waste baling sheds were part of the 64 fraudulent tenders which were under the scrutiny of the Lokayukta in June 2020.
“These three works were granted special permission by the Lokayukta considering that these works were of urgent nature,” said Savio.
And while the work orders were issued for these urgent works in June 2020, the works are yet to be completed. The three baling stations were proposed at SGPDA market, old fish market and Sonsodo dump yard.
“It is important to note that MMC collects approximately 15 tonnes of dry waste every day while only around two to three tonnes is baled daily, thereby, leaving a daily backlog of over 12 tonnes of dry waste. The situation at the Sonsodo dump yard is very alarming and a cause of serious concern. The accumulated dry waste mountain is rising day by day and even the approach roads are full with the dry waste alongside the road. As the summer approaches, there is every possibility of this dry waste mountain catching fire”, he added.
He further said even in the past the Shadow Council for Margao had cautioned the council over the accumulation of dry waste. However they chose to ignore and eventually resulted in a fire incident, causing immense pollution and hardships to the public around.
Savio lamented that crores of rupees are wasted by the council due to the very poor waste management system.
SCM demands that either the proposed baling sheds should be completed immediately so as to streamline the baling operations and reduce the accumulation of dry waste at Sonsodo or the tenders should be terminated by blacklisting the erring contractors. Fresh tender process could be initiated thereafter.
As informed by Agnelo Fernandes, Chief Officer of MMC, the contractor has left the work shed construction due to the cost factors. And hence, the civic body needs to restart the whole process of issuing tender, so that the shed is completed.
