Waste to be collected 8 times a day, errant shops to be sealed
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Will the stinking environment, clogged drains, encroachments et al be the thing of the past in the South Goa Planning and Development Authority’s Mega market?
Hopes have finally been raised that the decade-old mega market may see a complete change over, as Green Goa Works (GGW) have planned a major exercise, beginning from May 31. If GGW convenor Claude Alvares is to be believed, a vehicle will visit the market eight times a day to collect waste from the stalls and shops to ensure a total stop to litter in the market. Each of the shopkeepers will be asked to arrange for a bin, broom and a bag for plastic waste collection. “Once collected, this waste will be composted within the market premises, while the remains will be carted to the Sonsodo site,” Alvares said.
Outlining the host of measures contemplated by GGW to put the ailing SGPDA market to shape, Alvares said the market will be whitewashed and the drains cleaned. “It’s a decade since the market was commissioned, but it has not received a fresh coat of paint till date. We are determined to put the market to shape”, he said, adding shops violating the measures will be sealed after three notices.
Alvares along with Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai and Margao Municipal Chairperson Arthur D’Silva inspected the market to take stock of the prevailing situation. “The situation is pretty bad. We have to open up the passages to ensure entry and exit of the cleanliness vehicle. I have requested the MMC Chairperson Arthur D’Silva to make available the bins”, he said, while making a fervent plea to the citizens to cooperate and help put the market to order.
The MMC Chairperson echoed similar sentiments. “There ought to be no political interference. The agency GGW should be given a change to put the market back to order. The SGPDA market condition should be improved on par with world standards”, Arthur added.
