------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Navelim wants proper disaster management plan ------------------------------------------------------------------- For probe against negligent firm into Feb 17 mishap ------------------------------------------------------------------- On February 17 last, a tanker-laden with 35,000 kg of LPG turned turtle on the NH 17 at Bellem-Navelim. And, for three-days the tanker lay on the roadside since the crane requisitioned from Kumta- Karnataka got delayed to reach the accident site, thus exposing the residents to great risks.
On Friday, the Navelim Civic and Consumer Forum, a local NGO has demanded a proper disaster management plan and quick response mechanism for South Goa to handle similar accidents. In a representation to the District Collector, South, J B Singh, the Forum has requested for an inquiry to examine the violation of the procedures and to take the negligent company officials to task.
Referring to the February 17 accident, the Forum pointed out that besides the personnel of the lone fire brigade, no traffic police cordon was maintained along the road and none of the company officials were present round-the-clock at the accident site at Navelim.
�Our inquiries on the delay in requisitioning the crane later revealed that the company officials were trying to cut the costs by not hiring a local crane which would charge around Rs 50,000, while the crane brought from Kumta was supposed to be doing the job for Rs 12,000, thus endangering the life and property of the neighbouring villagers for a few thousand rupees,� the Forum alleged.
The Forum drew the attention of the Collector that in the absence of a bypass for Margao, these tankers carrying various hazardous substances pass through narrow internal village roads, especially Rawanfond-Navelim church road, which are residential areas and not meant for heavy traffic.
�We have also found out that although the village panchayats of Navelim, Telaulim and Aquem-Baixo are along the NH 17 � a route through which various hazardous substances are being transported � the department of Factories and Boilers has not conducted the mandatory awareness sessions for the residents of these villages�, the Forum said.
Stating that the awareness programmes are supposed to cover the information with regards to various types of hazardous substances being transported and the various emergency procedures to be undertaken, the Forum said the programme was supposed to cover disaster management issues pertaining to the agencies such as the police, fire and emergency personnel, medical personnel of the PHCs and the local village panchayat members. ------------------------------- HERALD 9/5/04 page 4 -------------------------------
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