the goan I network
MARGAO
The Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) is all geared up to help the Margao Municipal Council tackle the existing waste mound at Sonsodo, but can the civic body spare land admeasuring around 3000 square meters around the dump yard to stock the dry and inert waste generated during the process?
Come November and the GWMC’s contractor may descend at Sonsodo with men and machinery to remediate the over two-lakh metric tons of existing waste at the site.
The moot question, however, remains unanswered “ whether MMC is in a position to arrange around 3000 square meters of land in and around Sonsodo to stock the dry and inert waste generated during the remediation process.
GWMC had in the past requested the civic body to arrange the land in question and has now submitted in the High Court that MMC should spare that land to take the remediation process to its logical conclusion.
A glance at GWMC’s letter to the civic body clearly states that the urban local bodies, including the Margao Municipal Council shall strictly identify land to dispose of the compost/inert and for storage of the Refused Derived Fuel (RDF).
In fact, GWMC Managing Director, Levinson Martins had categorically made it clear to the MMC that the corporation would issue the work order to the contractor for remediation of the “Legacy Waste Dump” at Sonsodo only after the civic body complies with the condition and identifies the land for the disposal of the compost and inert waste.
The only vacant land presently in possession of the MMC is the acquired land located opposite the Sonsodo dump yard, but the civic body is well aware of the fact that an entry to
the acquired land in the
jurisdiction of Raia village will only invite the wrath of the villagers.
In fact, Raia villagers had been consistent in their opposition to any waste related activities on the MMC acquired land, so much so that Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai during his stint as Forest Minister, was literally forced to declare the acquired land as urban forest.
Says Martins: “We have floated the remediation tender and had a pre-bid meeting with the bidders. After the tender is opened and the work order issued, the contractor will go to Sonsodo to start the work, but we want land to stock the dry waste before the same is baled and transported to the cement factories in Karnataka.”
