MAPUSA: Protesting the move to expand the garbage plant capacity and the failure to operate the same efficiently, over 500 people from across Saligao constituency on Saturday evening, who gathered near the panchayat, threatened to stage a satyagraha and block the trucks from entering Saligao with garbage.
Saligao sarpanch Shraddha Borkar said the panchayat has received several letters on the problems faced by locals due to the garbage plant.
“People have been writing to us time and again about the foul smell. We do not want the plant to be expanded to 250 tonnes. The air will be polluted if they start burning plastic here and set up an incinerator. We may even be forced to leave Saligao,” she said.
With regards to the problems faced by the school students, Ashley Delaney, a PTA member of Lourdes Convent, Saligao said, “Every morning when students come to school, they have to wait for the trucks to pass and are forced to breathe the stench, which is also affecting them while studying in school. At the same time the leachate spilling from the trucks on the road is a problem”.
Voicing his opposition to the garbage plant, Ramesh Ghadi, a farmer from Saligao and member of Save Saligao group said, “We should be united to save our heritage village. The plant was supposed to be used as a picnic spot but today forget the plant people cannot eat food even in their homes. Saligao and Calangute constituencies are the worst affected areas. If we do not unite they will continue to dump garbage over here”.
Stating that the hills being full of trees and natural resources, Premanand Divkar, president of Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) said, “Rainwater gets accumulated here and further recharges the groundwater table. Due to this plant, the groundwater in Saligao has been contaminated. Every village needs their own plant. The ratio by which the population has increased so has the garbage. People have to raise their voice against the expansion. We cannot imagine the outcome once it is increased to 250 tonnes.”
Stating that the plant has failed in its operations, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) spokesperson Tulio de Souza said, “Despite the plant being unable to treat the existing garbage, the government wants to expand it from 120 tonnes to 250 tonnes. We do not want the garbage plant at Saligao to turn out to be another Sonsoddo”.
AAP North Goa candidate Pradeep Padgaonkar blamed the concerned authorities for allowing the plant to be built in Saligao. He presented a few demands on behalf of the citizens which were unanimously resolved by the gathering.
“The panchas, former sarpanch, ex-MLA and other authorities are responsible for this mess. Today the spring and wells of this village are spoilt,” he added.
Austin de Gama, president of Saligao Comunidade said they will start a satyagraha and block the road.
“If they are going ahead with the expansion then we won’t allow the trucks to come into the village. The comunidade is supporting the people in opposing this expansion. Let the garbage only from two constituencies of Saligao and Calangute be brought here. Let’s go out and stop the vehicles and then only will the government realise,” Austin added.
