FACTS & FIGURES
* Sonsodo dump is about 96,750 cubic metres while the one at Sada is 72,500 cubic metres
* Estimated cost of clearing the Sonsodo dump along with landfill (only if required) is Rs 8,41,24,675
* Clearing operations at Sada is estimated to cost Rs 6,60,57,250
* Price is calculated at Rs 580.10 per cubic metre
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Sonsodo, Sada likely to breathe easy again
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Indore-based firm offers to clear both dumps for over Rs 15 crore
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NOVEMBER 20
PANAJI
A solution appears to be in sight for the long-pending Sonsodo dumpyard. A consultancy firm based in Indore, Eco Pro Environmental Services, has given an estimate of Rs 8 crore to clear the Sonsodo dump, which includes segregation, screening and treatment of the waste, which is likely to begin in January.
Additionally, the consultant has presented an estimate of over Rs 6.5 crore to clear Sada dump.
The consultant made a detailed presentation at a meeting held on Friday which was attended by the Urban Development Director Elvis Gomes, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) Chairman Jose Manuel Noronha, officials of Vasco Municipal Council, Curtorim MLA Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco and Margao citizens, among others. Margao Municipal Council, however, had no representation at the meeting.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, GSPCB Chairman Jose Manuel Noronha said, “Instead of capping the Sonsodo dump, we had proposed to the government to take up Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) mining. This was cleared by the high-powered committee meeting chaired by the chief minister. Thereafter a consultant was appointed who has made a detailed presentation on how he wants to go about cleaning the site.”
The consultant from Indore, who has presented a preliminary project report on scientific disposal of solid waste dump at Sonsodo has also mentioned that the site is free of metallic contamination.
“The mode of clearing the dump including segregation was discussed at the meeting. The consultant has done characterisation of the site with reference to the amount of paper, plastic, metal, moisture, etc. They have also conducted a study on the metallic contamination in the dump. All the levels of chromium, lead, nickel, cadmium, etc are within the permissible limits as per the report”, said Noronha.
The next step would be floating of Expression of Interest (EOI) and call for parties who are capable of handling such mining operations.
“GSPCB will handle plastic, paper, combustible materials, which will be sent to factories to be used as fuel. The remaining earth that is there, as there is no contamination, could be used as bio-fertiliser”, he said.
Speaking after the meeting, Curtorim MLA Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco said, “Since there is a large volume involved, there is scope for cheating. And because of this the project should not be shelved. I found the estimated cost to be high and it should be reworked.”
The Sonsodo dump is about 96,750 cubic metres while the one at Sada is 72,500 cubic metres. The estimated cost of clearing the dump along with landfill (only if required) at Sonsodo is Rs 8,41,24675 while for Sada it is estimated at Rs. 6,60,57, 250. The price is calculated at Rs 580.10 per cubic metre.
