MARGAO
Margao Municipal Council’s plea to the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) to accept the city’s waste at the Saligao plant comes at a time when the Corporation was bracing up to rope in a contractor to treat waste generated in the commercial capital at Sonsodo itself.
In fact, the GWMC has prepared preliminary estimates for the day-to-day handling of the wet waste. The entire operation was estimated to cost the civic body around Rs 25.88 lakh per month, towards the treatment of 30TPD wet waste per month.
With no waste treatment taking place at Sonsodo worth its name, the GWMC had proposed to appoint a contractor to handle day-to-day waste handling till the proposed two 25TPD bio-digesters sanctioned by Waste Management Minister Atanasio Monserrate are set up at Sonsodo.
In fact, the Corporation has formulated a tender document for the operation and maintenance of the Sonsodo waste management facility.
To ensure that the contractor appointed for the waste handling is not left high and dry over the issue of payments, the GWMC has asked the MMC to make available an amount of Rs 1,03,52,160, equivalent to treatment of waste for four months.
Levinson Martins added: “However the actual cost towards treatment of waste shall be conveyed after the tendering process. It is requested that Administrative approval shall be taken by MMC to undertake the operations and maintenance of the Sonsodo waste management facility through GWMC.”
He further said the MMC shall obtain Financial Approval for estimated amount towards treatment of wet waste at Sonsodo facility. “The MMC shall make available an amount with GWMC equivalent to treatment of waste for four months, which could be tentatively, around Rs 1,03,52,160 (considering GST @18%). MMC shall also adhere to the role and responsibilities mentioned in the tender document, including providing electrical and water connection to the shed,” he added.
Sources in the GWMC informed that the ball now lies in the court of the Margao Municipal Council as the two projects can see light of the day depending on how fast the civic body obtains the administrative and financial approval from the government.
