The government has notified 1.7 lakh square metres of land at Bainguinim as a waste management area. The notification issued by the Department of Science, Technology and Waste Management states that the notified area would be housing a solid waste management plant with a capacity of treating 100-tonne garbage per day. Interestingly, the powers of local bodies to collect taxes and fees and control the construction of buildings have been taken away. The rider is that local bodies will be compensated for the loss of revenue for the next five years based on the collection during the previous year.
The garbage plant near the UNESCO-recognised Old Goa church complex has not only religious sentiments attached but has been a site that tourists from across the world have been frequenting. Moreover, the demarcated area has residences within a radius of 200 metres, with the road leading to the plant populated on either side.
The practicality of a treatment plant at Baiguinim vis-a-vis the surroundings has been a long-standing debate, considering the vibe of the area and the unease it will cause residents. Furthermore, the frequent uproars by Calangute and Saligao locals over air pollution because of the foul smell emitted from the plant has further propelled the opposition.
Minister for Revenue and Panaji constituency MLA Atanasio Monserrate has stood firm on going ahead with the plant despite raging protests. He has consistently pressed upon the need for a garbage treatment plant to treat the waste of Panaji and surrounding areas. However, locals and heritage lovers are adamant about continuing their opposition, and so is the local MLA Rajesh Faldessai, who has recently joined the BJP ranks. Lest we forget, Faldessai had threatened to bring people to the streets in protest against the plan and had invited Monserrate to the site.
The Bainguinim plant is an issue that is now picking up pace, and little has changed. The opposition to the project and the government’s resolve to go ahead are two aspects that have been a constant. In addition, the arguments about heritage and residences in the vicinity have been made and heard. So what is the focus, one may ask?
The spotlight is on Faldessai. A man who has shifted from the opposition benches to the ruling side. Can this make a difference to the issue at hand? The MLA has repeatedly spoken his mind and maintained his opposition to the project. The question is whether his party and government will hear him. Or whether his political bosses would bulldoze their way showing scant respect to village voices and the party MLA. The BJP is undoubtedly riding high on power with a brute majority. Will it still try and seek consensus, or will it bulldoze through? The Bainguinim issue assumes significance because it forms a template where people have been opposing projects along with their MLAs in tow. A decision here could give a broad indication of how the government wants to proceed on issues in conflict.
