MARGAO: The vicinity of South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) market has become a garbage ground as a result of the war between the Margao Municipality Council (MMC) and SGPDA over the fees for garbage collection.
Despite having a 5 TPD plant inside the complex running successfully, it is shocking that the surrounding areas of the SGPDA market have become a dumping ground for all types of waste, including chicken and fish waste. A lack of checking has resulted in stink all over.
A visit to the retail markets of SGPDA revealed that several vendors, especially chicken and fish cutters, besides vegetables and fruit vendors are dumping their waste into the open fields resulting in major health hazards. Plastic and other waste can be found dumped in the adjoining fields, attracting stray cattle.
A heap of waste welcomes customers to the retail market. Waste remained uncollected from the waste dumping point. Even the corridors of the mega-market are littered with vegetable waste for want of timely collection.
The PDA has entrusted the responsibility of collecting waste from the market to the Margao Municipal Council, but the recent issue pertaining to the garbage collection fees has resulted in a major tussle between the two bodies.
MMC had claimed that the SGPDA is supposed to pay them an amount of Rs 1.12 lakh for the garbage collection. On the other hand, SGPDA argued that the civic body has dues to the tune of Rs 85 lakh.
Locals visiting the market alleged that workers involved in garbage collection have been seen dumping the waste into the adjoining fields.
“We have witnessed even the wet waste such as chicken and fish waste dumped into the fields resulting in major health hazards. This garbage menace will surely lead to vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria in this monsoon,” said Francisco Fernandes.
