PANAJI
The villagers of Saligao may be crying foul over the proposed Solid Waste Treatment Plant (SWTP) in the village, but if scientists involved in the project are to be believed, there is reason to cheer. The Plant will be beneficial not only for treating garbage, but will also help in improving the nearby Salmona spring.
Villagers have been opposing the SWTP saying it would not be able to handle more than 100 tonnes of garbage on a daily basis. The Saligao Consumers Cell have also questioned the technology to be used while raising many contentions before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Contrary to the belief, a committee in charge of perfecting the technology comprising of scientists have insisted that the technology is well suited for Goan weather.
National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) in its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report has said the plant will “improve health and lifestyle due to the scientific disposal of solid waste which otherwise is being dumped unscientifically creating unhygienic conditions and vector for various diseases which could spread in the area.”
Speaking to The Goan, NEERI senior scientist Dr Atul Vaidya who worked on the EIA report said the technology was perfect for Goan climate and all that was required for its success was the need for right people to operate it.
The facility is based on a mechanical-biological treatment process with proper segregation and bio- methanation technology as per the requirement of the MSW rules 2000 and in accordance with guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board.
“Warm climates are good for any biological process, not cold. This particular technology can deal with garbage in the right way. We have also tried to perfect the technology by changing a few conditions,” said Dr Vaidya.
Stating that the problem was not with Goa’s climate or the technology, Dr Vaidya stressed there was need for the right people to operate it. “If it is ensured that the technology is operated properly, then it will last for years to come. Monitoring it over the years is also necessary,” he said.
The proposed area of 1,21,580 square meters which according to the Regional Plan 2021 is in industrial zone, functions on three major sections: material segregation and recycling center, bio methanation and composting section and scientific secured landfill with a water requirement of 10 KLD. There has also been a proposal to treat the combined waste water in a separate effluent treatment plant equipped with reverse osmosis system to ensure efficient recycling of water.
According to the EIA report, the Salmona spring too will benefit as its currently coliform bacteria contained state will improve. “The quality of the soil which is presently degraded will be restored upon treatment and disposal of the existing waste dumped at site.
