PANAJI
Residents of Pilerne, Saligao and Candolim raised concerns on Wednesday over a foul smell coming from the Saligao Waste Treatment Plant, questioning its efficiency and demanding urgent action. In response, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo visited the plant along with local representatives, including Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira, to inspect the site and speak with officials.
Lobo expressed concern over the continued dumping of unsegregated waste at the facility. He warned that if this practice continues, the plant may eventually stop functioning effectively. “Several panchayats and municipalities are sending mixed waste. The plant is being used as a dumping ground rather than a processing unit,” he said.
He called for stricter action against civic bodies that fail to follow waste segregation rules. “Local bodies sending unsegregated waste should be penalised. Waste cannot simply be loaded onto trucks using JCBs and transported without segregation,” Lobo said.
He also demanded that the Monitoring Committee overseeing the plant be reactivated immediately. Residents have repeatedly complained about a strong stench, especially during the monsoon season. Lobo urged all local bodies to cooperate with plant authorities and strictly follow segregation norms. Congress leader Tulio de Souza also criticised the situation in a social media post. He described the plant as “the biggest gift of the BJP government forced upon Saligaonkars and neighbouring villages.”
He said waste from across North Goa was being dumped in Saligao, contrary to assurances given by late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
“Our heritage village has been turned into a garbage capital. Only meetings, no solutions,” de Souza said.
