MAPUSA
Pledging to liberate Goa of garbage menace, Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo on Saturday said his top priority would be to tackle the waste generated all over Goa, especially in Mapusa and other areas in Bardez.
“I am striving to make Goa garbage-free by constantly improving our existing waste management facilities and bringing them up to global standards which will help maintain the State’s pristine beauty,” Lobo said.
“We will start collecting waste generated in Mapusa and process it at the Saligao waste treatment plant within six months from today. This is my assurance to Mhapshekars and the people of Bardez,” he added.
The Waste Management Minister was addressing a gathering after hoisting the national tricolour at the government complex in Mapusa on the occasion of Goa’s 60th Liberation Day function.
Deputy Collector Akshay Potekar, Mamlatdar Laxmikant Kuttikar, former MMC chairperson Ryan Braganza, former councillor Tushar Tople and revenue department staff were also present.
Continuing, Lobo said the construction of the waste treatment plant in Cacora in South Goa has already started and the process of setting up a state of the art waste management plant in Bainguinim was in the final stages of tender.
He also said improvement to the existing Saligao waste treatment plant in addition to the existing facility was in progress.
Lobo said the improvement of the Saligao treatment plant has been undertaken at Rs 104 crore.
“I will give you 100 per cent guarantee that the waste which is being piled up and stinks in Mapusa will not happen in future. People will have to have the patience for another six months. We will collect and monitor the garbage treatment,” he said.
He further stated that more than 1 lakh tonnes of Mapusa garbage have already been processed in the plant before.
According to the waste management minister, waste of Guirim and Verla-Canca village, part of Porvorim and entire Siolim and Calangute constituencies was treated at the Saligao treatment plant.
Lobo further stated that the Department of Ports was in the process of developing jetties to make them more navigable for passenger use.
He applauded the efforts put in by the frontline health workers, police and the revenue department officials who were in the forefront in the war against the pandemic.
‘Govt to revive barge industry’
Ports Minister Michael Lobo said he had taken special note of the ill-effects of the pandemic on the barge industry.
“The government is in the process of looking at their concerns, which will help in revival of the barge industry,” he said.
