4 yrs after batting for 3 bio-methanation plants, Margao civic body scraps project

Consider this. Out of the three 5TPD bio-methanation plants tendered by the Margao Municipality in the year 2020-21, the lone plant inaugurated with much fanfare in late 2021 has been shut down by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).

Nearly, half a decade down the line, the Margao Municipality has shelved its plans to set up the remaining two 5TPD bio-methanation plants in the city. In fact, the two bio-methanation plants, each costing Rs 2,62,27,032, has been officially scrapped by the MMC at its ordinary meeting held last week. At the meeting, the civic body has not only decided to shelve the two 5TPD bio-methanation plants, but utilise the funds from the 14th Finance Commission to the tune of Rs 5.30 crore for other projects.

While the decision taken at the meeting will help the civic body to divert funds for other projects under the Finance Commission, the moves indicate the failure as well as the indecisiveness of the civic body in addressing the garbage menace in the commercial capital.

For, the civic body had rushed with alacrity to approve the three 5TPD bio-methanation plants despite strong reservations lodged by the councillors.

Fortunately for the civic body, though a group of officials were strongly batting for the implementation of all the three bio-methanation plants, it was decided to install only one plant at the SGPDA retail fish market initially and go for the remaining plants only after evaluating the technology.

Last year, an attempt was made to set up the second tendered 5TPD bio-methanation plant at the SGPDA wholesale fish market, but had to be dropped after eyebrows were raised over the move when the bio-methanation plant does not accept fish waste for treatment. In fact, certain civic officials were accused for pushing the second bio-methanation plant at the SGPDA wholesale fish market when the plant had no mechanism to treat fish waste.

The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) hit the last nail in the coffin of the bio-methanation plant technology when the Board refused to extend the consent to operate issued to the lone bio-methanation plant set up at the SGPDA retail market.

Defunct plant creates space crunch in SGPDA market

MARGAO: The bio-methanation plant technology adopted by the Margao Municipality is finally down and out.

Both the Margao Municipal Council and the SGPDA, however, will have to grapple with a contentious question “ how would the two authorities go about the existing 5TPD bio-methanation plant, lying defunct at the SGPDA retail market since the last several months?

For, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has not renewed the consent to operate the 5TPD plant located at the SGPDA retail market. And, neither the Margao Municipal Council has taken steps to set up similar plants at Sonsodo after the six-month period as a result of which the plant is lying defunct in the PDA market.

Resultantly, the bio-methanation plant operator has shut down the bio-methanation plant post-GSPCB’s order refusing to extend the consent to operate order. It’s now several months since the bio-methanation plant has been lying defunct, throwing up questions for how long will the plant lie in a defunct state in the PDA market which is facing paucity of space for vehicular parking.

As of today, there’s no indication from the Margao Municipal Council whether the civic body will approach the government and the GSPCB to renew the consent of operate. And, it’s also unclear whether the SGPDA will request the MMC to dismantle the waste treatment plant and to set up the plant at an alternate site.