Gasification project back on Sonsodo agenda

The power-point presentation on the proposed gasification technology to treat mixed waste.

MARGAO
The Margao Municipal Council has set in motion the process to set up a gasification plant at Sonsodo to treat the mixed waste generated in the commercial capital.

Pune-based G D Environmental Pvt Ltd on Thursday held a power-point presentation for the benefit of the Margao Municipal councillors and civic officials, where company representatives explained in detail the salient features of the proposed 10-tonne capacity gasification waste processing plant at Sonsodo.

While the councillors and officials evinced keen interest in the proposal, it has been decided to inspect and study the project which has been implemented in Pune. Margao Municipal Engineer Deepak Desai informed that the project is estimated to cost around Rs 7.50 crore, including GST.

Last year, then Chief Officer Gaurish Shankhwalkar, Chairman of Margao Municipal Sanitation Committee, Camilo Barreto, along with Municipal Engineer Deepak Desai had inspected the 15-tonne capacity project being run by the company in Pune.

Sources said the capacity of the project operated in Pune has been increased to 25 tonnes. A 5-tonne capacity similar project has been set up in Ladakh, with company officials claiming they have set up a total of five projects so far.

Company director, Ajit Gadgil gave detailed information about the project, saying that pellets, fuel and fertiliser are made through the processing of mixed waste. He said it will take two months to set up the project and can be operationalised within a fortnight.

Margao civic chief Damu Shirodkar pointed out that the proposed gasification plant will help in the treatment of mixed waste dumped at the black spots. Making a plea to put behind the bitter past experience of the failure of the Margao Municipal Council’s endeavours to set up waste treatment plants at Sonsodo, the civic chief said the time has come to start anew and move forward to dispose of the city’s waste in a scientific manner.

Margao Municipal Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar said that he has inspected the waste processing project in Indore and its dedicated work in the matter of waste disposal. “Hence, Indore has won the cleanliness award of the country for three consecutive years and we need to take a cue from Indore and work in that direction,” he asserted.

Municipal Engineer Deepak Desai said the gasification plant can help save huge amount of money spent on disposal of waste such as sanitary pads, diapers, etc.