The Comba ring road stretch, located barely a few metres from the river Sal and connected to storm water drains, has become a major environmental concern. Citizens fear that with the onset of the monsoon, the heaps of plastic waste strewn along the roadside could easily be washed into the river Sal through the drainage network, further polluting the water body and surrounding ecosystem.
Sources point out that the two contractors appointed by the Margao Municipal Council for door-to-door waste collection are mandated to clear roadside garbage and attend to black spots across the city. To facilitate scientific disposal of plastic waste, the civic body had set up a 10-tonne gasification plant at a cost of Rs 7.5 crore, aimed at treating plastic waste generated in the commercial capital and keeping the city plastic-free.
Yet, a visit to the Comba ring road presents a contrasting picture. The entire stretch remains littered with mounds of plastic waste, prompting citizens to question why the authorities and city fathers have remained silent instead of issuing immediate directions to the contractors to clear the area and other plastic waste black spots across the city before the monsoon sets in.
