Board pins hopes on govt, writes to Science Dept to take necessary action
The hazardous waste covered with tarpaulin at the Cuncolim IDC by the Goa State Pollution Control Board.
MARGAO
Nearly 18 years after Ms Sunrise Zinc had left behind the hazardous waste at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has sent a request to the Department of Science and Technology to take necessary action for the disposal of the hazardous waste stored at Cuncolim Industrial Estate through Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC).
The GSPCB has set the ball rolling for the transportation and disposal of the hazardous waste from the Cuncolim IDC after the company had left behind the waste in the year 2007.
In a letter addressed to the Director, Department of Science, Technology & Waste Management, GSPCB Member Secretary Sanjeev Joglekar has called for action for the remediation and disposal of hazardous waste dump left behind by Ms Sunrise Zinc Ltd at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
The GSPCB Member Secretary pointed out that the hazardous waste, approximately around 50,000 MT is stored at Cuncolim IDC, adding that the Board had conducted characterisation of the hazardous waste stored at the IDC through NEERI.
Drawing attention of the Director, Science and Technology that the State of Goa through GWMC has established a Common Hazardous Waste Treatment Storage and Disposal Facility (CHWTSDF) at Pissurlem Industrial Estate, the GSPCB member secretary further pointed out the facility is operated by Ms Ponda Envocare Ltd.
The letter referred to the Budget Speech 2025-2026 of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant wherein it was proposed budgetary allocation for shifting of the hazardous waste from Cuncolim IDC to CHWTSDF at Pissurlem.
Sources pointed out that the GSPCB has written to the Department of Science and Technology for the disposal of the hazardous waste given that the Board has no funds at its disposal to undertake the exercise. Sources further said the Chief Minister, in his budgetary speech had mentioned about funding the transportation of the hazardous waste to the common hazardous waste disposal facility at Pissurlem.
The hazardous waste dump at the Cuncolim IDC was in the news last month after the waste was exposed to rains due to the delay by the GSPCB-appointed contractor to cover the dump. Agitated locals, including Cuncolim Municipal councillors, later threatened to shut down the town if the waste is not disposed of from the Cuncolim IDC at the earliest.
Transportation of 50,000 MT hazardous waste likely to cost exchequer Rs 15 cr
MARGAO: Transportation and disposal of the hazardous waste left behind by Ms Sunrise Zinc at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate may cost the exchequer a bomb.
For, preliminary estimates have revealed that it may cost the government a whopping Rs 15 crore to transport 50,000 MT of the zinc waste from the Cuncolim IDC to the Pissurlem common hazardous waste management facility.
Incidentally, the GSPCB had written to the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, New Delhi in February last to consider funding of the hazardous waste claiming the GSPCB is a weak Board. No communication has come from the Centre for part funding of the transportation cost.
As per a proposal obtained by the Board from Ms Ponda Envocare Ltd for transferring the hazardous waste from Cuncolim to the secured landfill site of CHWTSDF, the cost of loading, unloading and transportation charges is approximately Rupees 2,399 per tonne of work (plus additional 18% GST as applicable).
Considering that approximately 50,000 tonnes of hazardous waste (which might vary as per the further quantifications), the approximate cost is pegged around Rs 11,99,50,000 (plus additional 18% GST as applicable) ie 14,15,41,000. 5% ESCROW charges is to be paid extra (Rs 70,77,050).
Sources said the total estimate for the proposal for disposal of orphaned Hazardous waste dump of Ms Sunrise Zinc Limited at Cuncolim Industrial Estate (legacy waste) is Rs 14,97,98,050.
