Opposition slams municipal council over garbage mismanagement
A heap of garbage lies unattended for over a week near Junta Quarters – ironically, just steps away from the residences of municipal staff – in the heart of Mapusa.
Photo Credits: Agnelo Pereira
MAPUSA
The garbage crisis in Mapusa has escalated significantly in recent weeks, with uncollected waste piling up at various locations across the town.
Despite repeated complaints from residents and growing public frustration, the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) appears ill-equipped to manage the worsening situation. The problem has been compounded following a ban on dumping waste at the Assagao plateau, leaving the civic body scrambling for alternatives.
Without access to a designated dumping ground, the MMC is now compelled to segregate waste at the collection site itself, which has considerably slowed down the pace of garbage clearance across the town.
Waste continues to accumulate on roadsides and in open spaces, some of which have remained neglected for several days and in extreme cases, for weeks. Residents have raised concerns about the deteriorating hygiene and sanitation conditions, blaming the municipality for failing to uphold basic civic responsibilities.
Speaking on behalf of the opposition, Congress General Secretary Vijay Bhike criticized the civic body for its ineffective waste management, stating that open dumping continues unchecked despite door-to-door garbage collection services. “People continue to dump waste in the open while the Mapusa civic body fails to collect it,” Bhike said after meeting with MMC Chairperson Priya Mishal.
Echoing similar concerns, Shiv Sena’s Goa unit chief Jitesh Kamat accused the MMC of complete administrative failure in tackling the garbage issue.
“Even in areas with CCTV surveillance, people are still dumping waste. The civic body must take strict action against violators to deter such practices,” Kamat asserted.
The opposition delegation also drew attention to long-standing civic issues such as inadequate parking facilities and poor road conditions, which continue to plague Mapusa residents without any visible improvement.
In response, Chairperson Priya Mishal assured the visiting opposition members that the municipality has initiated several new measures to address the waste problem.
“These steps will be implemented progressively and are aimed at streamlining garbage collection and ensuring a cleaner town,” Mishal stated, without specifying a timeline.
Meanwhile, residents and political observers alike have called for urgent and transparent action, warning that inaction could soon lead to a full-blown public health concern if not resolved promptly.
