the goan I network
MARGAO
Strongly pitching for a 250-tonne waste treatment plant for South Goa, Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo on Saturday announced that the government has in principle agreed to set up the solid waste plant in the district to address the burning garbage issue.
Without going into the tricky issue of the exact site of the proposed plant, the minister said the government would unveil the location after the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study and other statutory rules are complied with.
He, however, made a fervent plea to the people of South Goa to cooperate with the government in resolving the issue. He also urged the MLAs, including the Nuvem legislator, to take the initiative to resolve the issue.
He said the government will go ahead with the 250-tonne plant with the blessings of the people, including the elected representatives.
Addressing the birthday celebration of the Nuvem MLA at Nuvem after laying the foundation stone for the one tonne Rs 50 lakh organic waste converter, the Waste Management Minister said while the proposal for 100-tonne Cacora plant will take care of the waste generated in Quepem, Sanguem and Canacona talukas, the government has resolved to set up a 250-tonne solid waste management plant to take care of waste of entire South Goa.
“The future generation will never forgive us if we don’t address the garbage issue once for all. Even Indore city has adopted a model to get rid of garbage. With Goa being a tourism state, we should set up plants to address the waste issue,” Michael said.
He said the government is ready to set up the proposed 250-tonne plant in South Goa by even availing loan facility from NABARD or nationalized banks. “As far as the Cacora plant is concerned, the EIA is ready. Environment clearance is in our hands. The concession agreement will be signed soon. But South Goa needs a bigger plant and it is for the people to support the government to set up the plant,” he said, while saying that waste generated in Salcete taluka is finding its way into the river Sal polluting its course.
On Sonsodo, he said the government has only planned a mini-plant to cater to the needs of Margao city. “Pending construction of the plant, the government has planned to set up organic waste converters in the city to address the issue,” he added.
The Waste Management Minister also urged the Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa and Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias to take steps to address the unemployment issue. “You are the leaders of South Goa today. Many Goans are migrating to the UK and other countries by changing their passports. We are becoming a minority in our state,” he said.
In his address, the Nuvem MLA said the one-tonne organic waste digester will help resolve the issue of waste in the village. He also vowed to get all the fallow agricultural land in Nuvem constituency under cultivation before the end of his tenure.
In his address, the Cuncolim MLA said he and Wilfred decided to join the BJP after being assured by the Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo to usher in the development of their constituencies. “We suffered on the development front. And, when we finally decided to join the BJP, development was the sole reason,” Clafacio added.
