Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji (MS)

Panaji, Mar 5: A major fire broke out at the garbage dump at Sonsoddo on the outskirts of Margao on the afternoon of Friday. The fire was brought under control by the firefighters.

A similar fire tragedy had occurred at the same garbage dump two years ago. The operation to control the fire lasted for more than five hours.

Truckloads of mud were dumped on the garbage to control the fire. According to director of fire and emergency services Nitin Raikar, the dump caught fire due to an ignition source of the 33 kv overhead high tension line.

Agnelo Fernandes, chief officer of Margao Municipal Council wrote a letter to DC Ruchika Katyal requesting for shifting of the high tension wire away from the place of garbage dump.

In the earlier fire that occurred at the same facility in 2019 it had taken nine days for the fire fighting personnel to douse the fire.

“Just two years ago, the Goa State Pollution Control Board had slapped a fine of Rs one crore on MMC. But it seems they have not learnt any lesson. Now the elected representatives have to be fined by the board as they are not taking any action,” said Savio Cutinho of Shadow council of Margao.