Staff dearth cripples waste collection across Mapusa

Mapusa: The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) is once again staring at a severe waste management crisis as several labourers engaged for door-to-door waste collection have not resumed work despite the conclusion of Ganesh Chaturthi festivities a couple of weeks ago. Residents also point to the council’s inefficiency in curbing littering at open spaces across the crucial North Goa town. They say that the festering heaps of garbage could pose serious health and sanitation risks.

Among the areas that are worst hit is the town’s famed municipal market that draws several vendors selling anything from fish and meat to vegetables and flowers. As a result, the volume of garbage generation is considerable. Lack of consistency on the part of the municipality in lifting the waste, especially during the rains, has stoked fears of leachate sullying the groundwater and raising a stink.

“There are resources, and sufficient funds are being allotted too, but I think the civic body does not intend to make Mapusa garbage free,” said opposition MMC councillor, Shashank Narvekar. “Clean surroundings are a basic human right and we, the elected representatives, should feel ashamed that we cannot deliver this to the people.”

Five plastic collection centres set up under the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) in certain parts of the town have turned into garbage dumps themselves, with heaps of unsegregated waste lying in their periphery.

“The centres were inaugurated with much fanfare and collection was done during the initial two months. Now, there are only collection bins here and no plastic. With people dumping garbage here and municipality not executing regular waste collection, the areas are stinking. The centres are an absolute waste of taxpayers’ money,” said Sachin Kitlekar, a local resident.

A municipal official attributed the town’s cascading waste management issues to the dearth of labourers entrusted with collection. The official said that a majority of them are migrants and have yet to return from their home states despite their Ganesh Chaturthi breaks already having ended. People indiscriminately dumping garbage without properly segregating it has also complicated the process, the official said.

“We are trying our best to clear waste from unauthorised dumping grounds across Mapusa with the limited work force we presently have,” the official said even as several councillors themselves have been complaining about the growing garbage crisis.

MMC chairperson Priya Mishal acknowledged the domino effect that the shortage of labourers was having on Mapusa waste collection schedules, but said that garbage is being cleared from a majority of the spots. “Garbage generation during festivals is always higher than usual and one must also understand that many staff take leave during such times to celebrate with their families,” she told TOI and added, “It is the collective responsibility of the citizens and civic body to keep Mapusa clean. We are doing our best.”