ROQUE DIAS |NT

Margao

Tonnes of waste — wet and dry, including plastic bags filled with used sanitary pads, kitchen waste and animal carcasses, was removed from the sides of Raia village road that touches the main Margao-Curtorim road at Sonsoddo, on Saturday, by the village panchayat.

‘The Navhind Times’ report, on Thursday, had highlighted how illegal dumping of the waste has created nuisance, and the panchayat has taken a decision to install CCTV cameras to trap the offenders.

The panchayat secretary Arjun Velip by exercising his powers has decided to engage two security personnel from March 1, to keep an eye on waste dumping along the stretch, especially during the odd hours and night.

The panchayat has moved a file to the higher authorities seeking permission to procure CCTV cameras. A person found dumping waste here will be fined Rs 25, 000.

“I don’t think that the people of Raia are dumping their waste here. I say this because the panchayat collects the waste from Raia people and legally disposes it through a contractor for the last two years. I guess that it is a job of the outsiders. I appeal with my folded hands not to dump waste here. This is an invitation for epidemics. Panchayat had cleared the waste from this spot several times earlier. Today, the panchayat engaged five workers to clean the sides of the entire road stretch. They filled it in big plastic bags after segregating it,” said sarpanch Emma Gomes said.

She also thanked ‘The Navhind Times’ for highlighting the issue, and hoped that it would enlighten those who dump waste here.

Panchayat secretary also urged the people to co-operate with the panchayat in maintaining the
village clean.

“We have taken a decision to install CCTV cameras at these spots. We have also decided to appoint two security guards to patrol the areas. Those who dump their waste here will be fined Rs 25,000, and none should use their political influence to release these offenders. The waste dumping has been an eyesore,” said panchayat secretary Arjun Velip.

Panchayat secretary informed that the workers will continue the work on Monday till all the waste is removed.

On Saturday, a worker, who was collecting the waste from the roadside drain informed that a middle-aged woman had come to dump her
waste bags.

“She was confused looking at me collecting the waste. She was about to throw the waste filled plastic bag, I yelled and she ran away. It is really a shame when a decent woman does this,” the local woman worker
lamented.