PANAJI
After a two-year hiatus, the High-Powered Coordination Committee (HPCC) on Sonsodo garbage reconvened on Monday wherein it decided to implement a 15 metric Tonnes Per Day (TPD) plant within the next one year.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that a Biomethanation waste treatment plant will be established in the first phase to effectively manage the garbage problem at Sonsodo. This plant, he said will be capable of handling 15 metric TPD of waste while assuring to be operational within one year.
Goa Forward Party (GFP) legislator Vijai Sardesai who called for the meeting had thrown some questions at the meeting considering that the HPCC has been unable to resolve the issue ever since it was constituted around 15 years ago during the reins of then CM Digambar Kamat.
Details shared by the HPCC states that on average, Margao and its surrounding areas produce 50 tonnes of waste per day, comprising 35 tonnes of wet waste and 15 tonnes of dry waste. "The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) will finance and oversee the 15 TPD Waste Management project, with technical support provided by the Goa Solid Waste Management Corporation (GSWMC). The execution of the project will be inspected by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB)," Sawant said.
As per the decision, the MMC will deposit the necessary funds with the GSWMC, which will then issue the project tender. Once the waste treatment facilities are established, the Sonsodo plant will also handle the daily disposal of 10 tonnes of waste that is currently transported to the Saligao waste treatment facility.
Speaking to The Goan after the meeting , Sardesai expressed that while he is contented that things have finally moved towards resolving the issue, he will keep a close watch on negligence if any. "Although belatedly, the HPC finally met today and I am thankful to the CM for answering to my call to hold this meeting, which was long due. I will cooperate with the government and continue to play the role of a constructive opposition," he said.
Sardesai also pointed out to unfulfilled promises made by HPCC during the successive governments in the past while also reminding Minister Atanasio Monserrate's empty promise on setting up 225 TPD plant at Sonsodo in 18 months. The next meeting is slated in July after the hearing in the High Court of Bombay at Goa which is monitoring the matter.
