Most people would prefer to avoid making a trip to a garbage treatment plant. Not Reginaldo Lourenco. The MLA from Curtorim paid a visit to the plant at Sonsodo on his birthday where he expressed “unhappiness” over the manner in which the plant was functioning and advised that the focus should shift to clearance of the old garbage, which had piled up over the last two decades. Reginaldo did not elaborate why he was unhappy. He did not explain which part of the plant was not functioning properly. He did not interact with the staff or talk to the person in-charge to ascertain if there were any problems or ask if any help was needed from his side. He just complained.
The two constituencies most affected by the Sonsodo dump are Margao and Curtorim and it becomes the burden of Digambar Kamat, who represents Margao and Reginaldo to ensure that the plant functions at optimum levels. The Sonsodo garbage treatment plant has been in operation since 12 December 2012. It was built at virtually no cost to the exchequer but the problem is that the Margao Municipal Council has failed miserably in taking the whole task of clearing and treating garbage forward.
Till date the MMC has not succeeded in implementing segregation at source. Even though the Sonsodo plant can handle mixed garbage, segregation at source ensures that the quantum of inert material that goes to the landfill site is reduced. This in turn increases the lifespan of the landfill site. Secondly, the two MLAs and the MMC are still not on the same page as far as treatment of the existing garbage is concerned. Thirdly, the tender floated for bio-remediation of old garbage, which is a fancy term for segregation, places the burden of shifting the existing garbage on the MMC. Neither the MMC nor the two MLAs have an idea as to where the one lakh tonnes of existing garbage will go. They are burdened with this problem because everyone rejected capping of the dump, which is a universal practice. It’s a case rejecting a solution without thinking of a viable alternative. And instead of working out solutions, Reginaldo made a meaningless trip to Sonsodo for a photo opportunity.
This is what happens when MLAs and councilors stop being leaders and turn into followers of their voters. This is also what happens when one builds an education system that places a premium on memorizing and not problem solving. This is also what happens when no one is willing to take a stand based on scientific evidence and backed by existing technology. The plant at Sonsoddo was constructed four years ago but the politicians have failed to put segregation in place. For this failure, the city and its people and neighbouring constituency of Curtorim are the main sufferers. If the Sonsodo issue remains unresolved it is because we have too many politicians and too few leaders.
