Depts pass the buck as govt yet to issue financial sanction; residents fear yet another monsoon with toxic heap
File photo of the hazardous zinc waste exposed to rains at the Cuncolim IDC.
MARGAO
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s 2025-26 budget speech had brought a ray of hope for Cuncolkars long plagued by pollution at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate. Among the major announcement was a budgetary allocation for the shifting of hazardous zinc waste from the Cuncolim IDC to the common hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility (CHWTSDF) at Pissurlem.
What further raised public expectations was the Chief Minister’s assurance that the transportation of the hazardous waste would begin in October.
In line with the CM’s announcement, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) Member Secretary Sanjeev Joglekar had, in June, written to the Director of Science and Technology, urging swift action for the remediation and disposal of the hazardous waste left behind by Ms Sunrise Zinc Ltd at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate since 2007.
However, with October now underway, there is still no visible sign of the hazardous waste being transported out of the Cuncolim IDC. Local observations indicate that no preparatory or transportation activity has commenced at the site, casting doubt on the government’s promised timeline.
Adding to the growing anxiety among residents and officials alike is the concern that any further delay in initiating the transportation exercise will push the clearance of the hazardous waste mound dangerously close to the next monsoon season.
Inquiries by The Goan have revealed that the process for transportation is yet to be set in motion. While the GSPCB has placed the responsibility on the Department of Science and Technology, no tangible progress has been made so far.
Further investigation reveals that although the government made a budgetary provision for the operation, the concerned departments are reportedly waiting for an official financial sanction order before work can commence.
Sources at the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC), which manages the CHWTSDF at Pissurlem, confirmed that no official communication or sanction has yet been received from the government to begin transportation of the waste.
The Goan has also learned that GWMC, through its agency Ms Ponda Envocare Ltd, had previously prepared cost estimates for the transportation project. However, given the delay, there are concerns that these estimates may now need to be revised, further complicating and potentially delaying the entire process.
Incidentally, the government two years ago had sent a communiqué to the GSPCB, with a sanction order amounting to Rs 5 crore to take up the hazardous waste transportation. Work, however, could not kick off for lack of funds.
GSPCB mulls using own resources as govt delay stalls cleanup
MARGAO: With no department stepping forward to begin the transportation of hazardous waste from the Cuncolim Industrial Estate, the spotlight has now shifted back to the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).
When The Goan contacted newly-appointed GSPCB Chairman Levinson Martins for an update on the status of the proposed waste transportation, he stated that the Board would “soon take a call” on the matter.
Interestingly, Martins revealed that the GSPCB is considering initiating the transportation work using its own funds — at least until the government releases the promised budgetary allocation. “We have not taken any decision yet, but we are working on the idea of starting the work with GSPCB funds after revising the transportation rates,” he said.
Martins also acknowledged the growing public concern in Cuncolim, especially the fear that any further delay in commencing the work could jeopardise efforts to complete the waste removal before the onset of the next monsoon.
Cleanup hinges on Rs 15 cr sanction
MARGAO: The task before the Goa government in transporting the 50,000 metric tonnes of hazardous waste from the Cuncolim Industrial Estate is straightforward: sanction the required amount of Rs 15 crore to facilitate the shifting of zinc waste to the common hazardous waste management facility at Pissurlem.
Preliminary estimates prepared by an agency peg the transportation cost at approximately Rs 11.99 crore. Once 18 per cent GST and 5 per cent ESCROW charges are factored in, the total estimated cost rises to a substantial Rs 14.97 crore.
