http://oheraldo.in/node/8972
Cuncolim Council yet to fulfill garbage site vow BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JAN 24 — Cuncolim Municipal Council's promise to shift the garbage dump yard from Sidhnagar to the Industrial Estate expires two days from now, but there's no sign of the new site becoming a reality. What's more, the actual land acquisition process hasn't yet commenced, even though CMC Chairperson Filon Vaz says documents relating to land acquisition has been submitted to the Deputy Collector for land acquisition. Incidentally, the Council has received funds to the tune of Rs 55 lakh for land acquisition from the Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao. Vaz says, "So far, we have been able to identify suitable land for garbage dumping in the Industrial Estate. The process to acquire the land will commence soon". Vaz said he would request the agitating residents to give some more time to the Civic body to shift the dump yard from Sidhnagar to the Industrial Estate. "I have planned a meeting with the agitating residents. The Council means business when we say we will shift the dump yard", he added. According to him, the new dump yard will be developed on scientific basis and will accommodate a modern garbage treatment plant. Residents of Sidhnagar and Gotton have been agitating against the reckless dumping of waste in an abandoned stone quarry without adequate safeguards, raising apprehensions of underground water pollution. Moreover, the Sidhnagar dump yard turned out a yard for all types of unsorted waste, including tonnes of medical and hotel waste from outside CMC's jurisdiction in the absence of any security arrangements. -- May your God be with you. Gabe Menezes. London, England
