BICHOLIM: The arrival of monsoon gives respite to many. But many a time it acts as a nightmare for some, especially for the people living in the areas affected by mining since they are constantly under the danger of mining silt flowing into their houses.
The mining sludge entering houses is not a new phenomenon, especially for Bicholim. This is all because of the faulty planning by the mining companies and the authorities concerned. In 2009 a number of people were evacuated to safer areas as the sludge entered into about 60 houses and a temple in Poira, Advalpal and Valshi in Bicholim taluka. The incident happened when the sludge from the nearby mines entered the houses after heavy rains and the people were unable to salvage their belongings. On July 16, 2011, the fields of the Mulgao villagers were damaged after a mining pit gave way and the sludge entered the village. A similar incident took place just last week. About eight houses were affected at Pazwada, Bicholim when the mining sludge entered their houses. Heavy rains that lashed Bicholim caused havoc at Pazwada when the sludge along with boulders was washed on the roads. The sludge also flowed into the residential houses. The traffic on the road was disrupted for over hour and resumed only after the boulders were cleared. The dirty water and the mining sludge also damaged equipments in the houses. Electrical equipments belonging to Suresh Verekar and Sushant Verekar were damaged in the incident. Environmentalist Ramesh Gawas said that this was entirely because of the carelessness of the mining company. “ The company has no disaster management plan. After the incident the roads had become death traps. I have filed a police complaint against the nuisance created by the company,” said Gawas. The Bicholim Municipal Council ( BMC) chairman, Satish Gaonkar, also blamed the mining and asked the company for compensation. “ The company should compensate the people and should also clean the gutters which are filled by sludge,” Gaonkar demanded. After the incident the authorities woke up from their slumber and the Deputy Collector, Mahadev Arondekar, convened a meeting of the officials and site inspection was also held. But inspite of all the precautions there is still a danger of another such incident occurring in Bicholim in the near future. Faulty planning and carelessness by mining companies, failure of authorities to take precautions have brought misery and suffering to Pazwada villagers Bicholim locals try to cross an area filled with sludge after the heavy rains. The company has no disaster management plan. After the incident, the roads had become death traps. I have filed a police complaint against the nuisance created by the company — Ramesh Gawas, Environmentalist The company should compensate the people and should also clean the gutters which are filled by sludge — Satish Gaonkar, BMC chairman quote room SAMIr uMArye bicholiM SAMIR UMARYE -- Samir Umarye