VASCO: The locals from Vasco have raised serious concerns over the environmental pollution created by the hot bitumen mix plant located next to Dabolim airport and in the vicinity of Shantinagar residential area. Locals have demanded that the plant should be shifted away from residential area to some industrial estate so as to reduce environmental pollution in the area, failing which they all would be compelled to agitate.
According to the residents, before the national highway started the four-lane project connecting Verna to MPT, a crusher was under operation near Dabolim airport. However, gradually the crusher operations stopped and the concerned company started hot bitumen mix plant at the same place. This plant has been causing pollution all over the area from Dabolim airport to Shantinagar in Vasco. “Since the time the hot bitumen mix plant started its operations we had raised our objections, which, were kept aside and the officials concerned allowed the concern hot bitumen mix plant to pollute the environment,” said Vasco based social activist Preetam Keluskar. Vasco resident Vishal Naik said, “I don’t understand as to how the Goa State Pollution Control Board chose to remain as mute spectator, and allowed such polluting industry to operate. We demand that the state government should take serious note on the environment pollution created by the hot bitumen mix plant and should make provisions to shift the same to some industrial estate and away from residential area failing which the residents of Vasco would be compelled to agitate,” he threatened.
