Controversial means to dispose of garbage by setting it ablaze at the garbage treatment plant in Dumane-Canacona has angered locals and tourists in the area. Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) Chairperson Mahadev Dessai has flatly denied that CMC workers were setting the garbage on fire, but added that “unscrupulous elements” were involved in sabotage. According to residents of Dumane and motorists from Agonda, Khola, garbage is rarely treated scientifically at the plant, but garbage dumps are regularly seen on fire. “It has been over four weeks now since the Dumane plant has been engulfed in smoke and stench. Two spells of pre-monsoon rains had brought some respite but smoke has been noticed yet again,” complained a resident. During the day smoke from the burning garbage dumps fills up the entire locality, making it unbearable for locals as well as motorists who pass along the route. A visit to the plant revealed the sorry state of affairs. Garbage is regularly dumped at the site by municipal compactors, with virtually no sign of any garbage treatment operations at the plant. “We are helpless as we have made several complaints stating that Canacona Municipal Council’s garbage treatment plant has become a nuisance to residents in the area, simply because no proper procedure is being followed to segregate and treat garbage,” complained Uday, a resident of Dumane. “As a result, our residential area is surrounded by foul smell and smoke,” he added. Andreas Krause, a foreign national residing at Agonda, said he was pained to see such an ecological disaster where garbage dumps was set ablaze, with no authority taking steps to stop the menace. “I am a regular visitor to Goa and generally reside between Palolem and Agonda beaches. Whenever I travel along the route, the stench of burning garbage is unbearable. Moreover, I have noticed that the entire locality of Dumane is choked with the smoke. It is even difficult to breathe,” said Krause. Added Roma Dessai, an engineering student from Agonda: “Just when the people of Agonda and Khola are forced to live with garbage odour, they are also compelled to face yet another health hazard in the form of burning garbage. I even find it difficult to breathe while passing by the area.” When contacted, CMC Chairperson Mahadev Dessai admitted that activities at the plant had been stalled for some time. “The Election Code of Conduct had affected engagement of daily-wage workers, who were trained and employed at the Dumane plant,” said Dessai. He flatly denied that CMC workers had been burning garbage at the plant. “In the past, our workers had complained about sabotage by some unscrupulous elements after garbage was set on fire. Besides, some people have also threatened our workers there,” Dessai told Herald.