MARGAO
Margao Municipal Council’s first of the three bio-methanation plants will be finally commissioned on October 27, which will not only test the efficacy of bio-methanation technology, but will decide whether the technology is an answer to resolve the city’s waste imbroglio.
For, while the 5TPD plant will be commissioned next week, the MMC has opened the bids for two more 5TPD bio-methanation plants, but has not yet awarded the work order to the contractor.
That’s not all. The MMC recently proposed to set up two 25TPD bio-methanation plants at Sonsodo to address the burning garbage issue.
Incidentally, though the MMC had tendered three bio-methanation plants for the city, work order for only such plant was issued by Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes, on condition that the civic body will issue the work orders for the remaining two plants only after checking the efficacy of the bio-methanation technology.
In fact, the decision of the Chief Officer was ratified by the High-Powered Coordination Committee headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, accepting the Chief Officer’s contention to first check the efficacy of the lone bio-methanation plant before granting approval for the remaining two.
The 5TPD bio-methanation plant has come up at the SGPDA retail market complex and is being designed and erected by Pune-based Urja Bio System Pvt. Ltd. The cost of the project is estimated around Rs 2.30 core.
“As per the decision, the Civic body will test whether the Bio-methanation technology is suited for the commercial capital, which generates around 35 tons of wet waste a day. I had taken the decision to go for only one plant when the MMC is under the rule of Administrator. Since an elected Council is in place now, it is for the elected body to take a call on the matter”, Agnelo added.
