Preventive measures fail to deter violators
Garbage piled up around a transformer in the market area at Vasco.
Photo Credits: Vikram Nayak
Vasco
Vasco, known for its bustling markets and dense population, is now grappling with a persistent issue: the reckless dumping of garbage around electricity transformers.
Despite repeated warnings, public awareness campaigns, and preventive measures, the menace has only worsened, posing a severe threat to life and property.
The issue is not new. Vasco has witnessed multiple fire incidents caused by dry garbage catching fire near transformers, leading to significant damage and heightened risks to nearby establishments.
CHALLENGES
To tackle the problem of garbage catching fire near transformers, the electricity department and the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) launched several campaigns urging residents to refrain from dumping waste in these sensitive areas.
“We’ve done everything possible to resolve the issue, but it gets worse every passing day,” said a senior official from the electricity department.
“In the market, for instance, we have a transformer surrounded by heaps of garbage. If a fire breaks out, it could easily spread to nearby shops and gut the entire market in no time. Sometimes, out of frustration, our staff refuse to attend to the transformers until the garbage is cleared, further delaying repairs and leaving people frustrated with the issues.”
“This leads people to point fingers at our department, without realising the real issue at hand. We’ve requested the MMC to take immediate action against those responsible for this reckless behaviour.”
To deter such acts, the electricity department installed metal cages around transformers, hoping to prevent garbage from piling up near them. While this measure initially seemed effective, people have now begun dumping waste just outside the cages, creating an even larger problem.
“These garbage heaps are not just an eyesore but also a breeding ground for rodents,” the official added.
“These rodents can damage electrical wires, further increasing the risk of a short circuit or fire. The garbage also blocks access for our staff, making it difficult to attend to transformers during repairs or emergencies.”
MMC RESPONDS
MMC Chairperson Girish Borker acknowledged the issue and detailed the council’s efforts to combat it.
“We have started door-to-door garbage collection systems to minimise roadside dumping. However, some residents refuse to hand over their waste and instead throw it in the open. Despite clearing black spots and beautifying the city, miscreants continue to dump garbage next to transformers, which is highly dangerous,” said Borker.
“The MMC has also taken action against commercial establishments contributing to the problem. We collect bulk waste from restaurants and eateries and have imposed penalties on vendors dumping garbage in the open. Now, the only plan to resolve this issue will be to urge locals to name and shame those responsible, using active citizen participation and CCTV footage to identify them,” Borker stated.
Local MLA Krishna Salkar and ward councillors have actively worked to clear garbage-filled dark spots and beautify the affected areas, but the problem persists.
The MMC, along with the electricity department, has called on residents to take responsibility and cooperate to keep these areas clean.
A senior official warned, “This is not just about aesthetics. It’s about safety. A fire caused by garbage near a transformer can have catastrophic consequences for the entire community. We need stricter enforcement and more awareness to tackle this growing menace.”
As the city struggles with this recurring problem, authorities have appealed to residents to change their behaviour and prioritise public safety. With campaigns, penalties, and community involvement ramping up, there is hope that this persistent issue can finally be addressed before a disaster strikes.
