The oily sludge that spilled along a one-km stretch of road in Vasco on Monday has been identified by Vasco police as phosphoric acid sludge, prompting residents to wonder how an open truck was allowed to transport phosphoric acid sludge in the port town. In a related development, the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has taken serious note of the incident and issued a show-cause notice to the Zuari Industries Limited (ZIL) for criminal negligence by the tankers contracted with the company. About 30 two-wheelers skidded early Monday morning, when the truck carrying the acidic sludge spilled the contents along a busy road in the town, while the vehicle was proceeding from Vasco to the ZIL at Birla. Owners of four-wheelers have complained that the acid sludge has corroded the paint and metal of their vehicles. In this connection, Vasco Police has registered the complaint of a motorist who claimed that the bottom portion of his Maruti Swift car (GA-06-A-3452) showed sign of corrosion within two days of the spillage. Some MMC labourers also complained of irritation in the eyes and itching of their feet, while they were clearing the acidic sludge from the road. MMC Chairman also questioned the efficacy of the district's disaster management plan. "Though the acidic sludge spilled at 4 am, the cleaning operations began only at 7 am. It took a further three hours to clear the road,' said Almeida. CORTALIM CORRESPONDENT ADDS: The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has issued a show-cause notice against the directors of Zuari Industries Limited (ZIL) for criminal negligence by the tankers contracted with the company. In a strongly worded letter to the Executive President, the Council gave seven days notice to show cause as to why the Council should not totally stop the transportation of hazardous materials like acid and naptha through Vasco town. In its letter, the MMC noted that the tanker while carrying phosphoric acid sludge from Vasco terminal to the factory had negligently and in utter disregard to the safety norms spilled the sludge on the road, thereby endangering the lives of the citizens. The MMC also accused the company of failing to take any remedial action to remove the sludge thus showing a criminal neglect and total disregard to the lives of the citizens. An agitated MMC Chairperson Carlos Almeida criticized the ZIL management for deputing amateurs, instead of professionals to oversee and clearing the sludge on the road. "Residents were complaining of irritation to their eyes after the incident. They have also demanded that the MMC adopts necessary measures to stop transportation of tankers carrying hazardous materials, since similar mishaps had occurred in the past,' Almeida said. Meanwhile agreeing with the Council, a tanker driver told Herald that such incidents were largely due to