MARGAO
The Margao Municipal Council will go for the American patented Black Hole technology to rid the existing Sonsodo dump yard only after clearances from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), Department of Science and Technology and the Goa Sewerage Corporatoin study the pollution aspects and the financial implications.
The Black Hole machine, which is powered by plasma heat technology, was discussed at the special meeting of the council. Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai and councillors Arthur D’Silva and Rupesh Mahatme treaded a cautious path, saying the council should not take any hasty step, but should first obtain technical details from government agencies such as the GSPCB, Science and Technology department and the Sewerage Corporation.
After much deliberations, the meeting decided to write to the three agencies for a technical report on the feasibility of the Black Hole technology vis-Ã -vis pollution. The council said further decision on the technology will be taken only after receiving reports from these agencies. “We will place the reports from the GSPCB, Science and Technology department and Sewerage Corporation at the council meeting before taking a final decision,” Babita told the council.
The Chairperson pointed out that the Black Hole company may charge a fee of Rs 1,550 to treat each ton of existing waste at the Sonsodo. She, however hastened to add that while the plant has the capacity to treat any mixed waste, glass, steel and con crete would not be acceptable by the plant.
“We have been told that the waste would be treated at a temperature of 3000 degrees centigrade and there would be no rejects, except ceramic ash which can be used for brick manufacturing,” she added.
Councillors Arthur D’silva and Rupesh Mahatme demanded to know whether the new technology would come in the way of the operations of Fomento Green, which is presently handling the waste management at Sonsodo.
Chairperson Babita replied saying that the new technology, if approved by the technical bodies, would in no way affect Fomento operations, saying the company has only applied to tackle the existing waste lying at the dumping site.
