PANAJI
Considering substantial increase in waste a major challenge, the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) has drafted a 15-year policy document recommending re-organizing the coastal State into four major clusters -- Saligao, Bainguinim, Cacora and Verna for effective and scientific garbage handling.
The Corporation has formulated a revised Solid Waste Management Policy 2022-2037, which is awaiting government nod.
The policy speaks about various limitations and gaps in the existing waste management system and infrastructure across the State. Scarcity of land to set up full-fledged village panchayat-level solid waste processing facilities, inadequate door to door collection of waste, space constraint, high cost of transportation owing to inadequate sorting and storage infrastructure were among the key reasons highlighted by the Corporation for failing to handle increasing waste generated by residents and visitors.
The policy has laid major focus on re-organising the State into four clusters that is Saligao (Bicholim as a sub-cluster), Baiguinim, Cacora and Verna.
The Saligao cluster -- categorised as Cluster I, comprising of Bardez and Pernem taluka, generates around 231.03 tons of waste per day (TPD) which includes 127.07 TPD biodegradable, 99.35 TPD non-biodegradable and 4.62 TPD as hazardous household waste.
Sattari taluka is part of sub-cluster Bicholim that generates 60 TPD of waste. The cluster generates around 33 TPD of biodegradable waste and another 26 TPD non-biodegradable. The household hazardous contribution is merely one TPD.
The cluster already has a 250 TPD waste treatment facility.
The Cluster II -- Bainguinim, having no waste management and treatment facility in place, generates 176.77 TPD waste from Tiswadi and Ponda areas. The cluster generates 97.22 TPD biodegradable waste, 76.01 TPD non-biodegradable waste and 3.54 TPD household hazardous waste.
Cacora, which houses a recently commissioned solid waste treatment facility, is categorized as Cluster III, with waste from four talukas -- Dharbandora, Sanguem, Quepem and Canacona coming within its ambit.
The four hinterland talukas generate 68.31 TPD waste that comprises 37.57 TPD biodegradable waste, 29.37 TPD non-biodegradable and 1.37 household hazardous waste.
In the fourth cluster, the GWMC has proposed to set up 250 TPD Integrated solid waste management facility at Verna. This will cover Mormugao and Salcete talukas. The Cluster generates 126 TPD biodegradable, 99 TPD non-biodegradable and 5 TPD household hazardous waste.
