GSPCB summons Mapusa Municipal Council over illegal waste dumping in Assagao

Staff Reporter

Mapusa

The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has summoned the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson and chief officer for a personal hearing on March 17 regarding the alleged indiscriminate dumping of waste on Assagao comunidade land.

Despite prior directives from the GSPCB, the council has allegedly continued waste disposal at the site.

“In view of the above, a personal hearing is scheduled on March 17 at 3.30pm before the undersigned to explain why action should not be initiated against you for failure to comply with the directions issued under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and as per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016,” the letter stated.

The Board conducted an inspection at the site on October 10, 2024, in the presence of MMC and comunidade officials and subsequently directed MMC to comply with waste management regulations.

In a letter to MMC, GSPCB Chairman Mahesh Patil stated that the board had issued directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. However, MMC has not submitted any compliance report or action plan.

The Assagao comunidade has raised strong objections to the dumping, filing complaints with various authorities, including the Central Pollution Control Board, over environmental concerns. The body has alleged that waste dumping has led to soil, groundwater, and water body contamination, posing serious health risks to locals.

Comunidade attorney Nelson Fernandes stated that around 77,000 sqm of their land has been used for dumping waste without any acquisition process. He claimed that despite directions prohibiting fresh dumping, around 30–35 trucks continue to dispose of waste at the site daily.

“We have approached different authorities regarding this indiscriminate dumping by the Mapusa municipality, which has resulted in severe land and groundwater contamination,” Fernandes said.

He said that MMC has alternatives, including the Saligao treatment plant and the Cunchelim facility, but continues to use Assagao land instead.

Comunidade president Ruildo D’Souza alleged that MMC has constructed a shed on their property without permission. “We have requested the authorities to demolish the structure and have also made representations to ministers seeking action,” he said.