Navelim-Benaulim highway has become a huge garbage dump: Warren Alemao

BENAULIM: With heaps of rotting garbage, plastic waste and other domestic refuse, scrap and debris dotting the Navelim-Benaulim main road, youth leader and social worker from Benaulim Warren Alemao, expressed his displeasure at the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities as well as the elected leaders of Navelim and Benaulim who have turned a blind eye to the pressing problem.

“The garbage dumps are a health hazard and the rotting matter on which several pests thrive is a matter of grave concern for the residential areas in the vicinity. The population of rats and mice has drastically gone up, stray dogs and cattle have become a nuisance for motorists and the place stinks making it not just an eyesore but also a breeding ground for mosquitoes, rodents and other pests,” exclaims Warren who is trying to get it cleaned up.

He has requested the local authorities and the concerned panchayats to monitor the roads to ensure that passing motorists do not dump garbage along the route.

“Even though there is door-to-door collection of garbage, it is not very efficient and some people prefer to drop off their garbage along the road side, which is a social crime. If a fine is levied the acts will stop drastically,” opines Warren.

According to him the locality was clean and hygienic till about 5 years ago. “Development is needed but it should be all-round development. You build a highway, but the garbage collection in the local residential areas and villages is falling short and people drop off their bags of garbage along the sides of the highway while passing by in their cars and on their bikes. There should be more police patrolling or at least install CCTV cameras and levy fines on defaulters,” he suggests.