MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) is grappling with a significant challenge in disposing off a large quantity of trimmed branches currently lying dumped on the ground opposite the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA).
The accumulation of these branches pose environmental and aesthetic problem, as the unsightly pile poses a potential fire hazard.
However, MMC chairperson Damodar Shirodkar is confident that the civic body will address the issue by disposing the trimmed branches and other wooden waste in the next couple of days.
He assured residents that steps are being taken to manage the waste promptly.
At the moment, huge quantity of trimmed branches dumped at the site has turned into an eyesore.
Currently, it is observed that, following directives from the district administration, several tree branches were recently trimmed, which poses danger to human life. Remarkably, a substantial quantity of these trimmed branches has been left dumped on an open ground, creating a significant safety and environmental concern. There is no established mechanism in place yet to address the disposal of this waste.
Shirodkar claimed that the civic body possesses two machines for disposing wooden waste. However, these machines have yet to be put to use for the disposal of the trimmed branches dumped at the site. The delay in utilising this equipment has contributed to the ongoing accumulation of waste.
Speaking to O Heraldo, Rosario Fernandes, a resident of Fatorda, stated that disposing the trimmed branches should not be a difficult task.
“Whole ground is now full of the trimmed branches. Looking at the civic body’s approach, it is hard to believe that work will be initiated to dispose them. It will be a really difficult task,” he said.
Roshan Naik, another citizen, said that once the trimmed branches dry out, they might be burned. He feared that burning of branches could pose a serious fire hazard and worsen the situation.
“With the existing machinery the civic body will not be able to handle the huge quantity of waste, and hence it requires some alternative measures, which the municipality is yet to consider,” he added.
The MMC chairperson claimed that the civic body is in the process of initiating work to dispose the trimmed branches dumped in the open ground in Fatorda, and at several other locations.
“We also have portable machinery that can be used to dispose the trimmed branches dumped on the open ground. The civic body will chalk out a plan to start the work in the next couple of days,” he assured.