Fire engulfs Sonsoddo waste facility

Margao: A fire erupted at the Sonsoddo waste management facility on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, causing alarm among nearby residents. Fire and emergency services responded to the situation, with firefighters working for several hours to contain and ultimately extinguish the flames.
This incident marks the latest in a series of fires at the Sonsoddo site, raising questions about safety protocols and management practices. Unlike previous incidents where fires typically originated in the legacy dump due to methane gas accumulation, this blaze specifically consumed segregated dry waste.
Though the cause of the fire couldn’t be ascertained, fire department officials noted during a previous fire incident at Sonsoddo that segregated dry waste presents a low fire risk under normal circumstances, suggesting the possibility of sabotage. This observation has intensified calls for improved security measures at the facility.
Shadow Council for Margao, represented by Savio Coutinho, expressed frustration with the ongoing situation. “Despite millions in taxpayer funding allocated to waste management, the Margao Municipal Council continues to be lethargic in the management of Sonsoddo operations,” Coutinho said, demanding a formal investigation into the recurring fire incidents.