Council to act after missing HC deadlines
MARGAO
After missing the High Court’s deadline twice in a year, the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) will finally discuss setting up a bio-methanation plant at the Sonsodo waste site.
The issue is on the agenda for the MMC meeting later this week. This comes after the MMC failed to file an affidavit in the High Court on 5 July 2024 on its plan to set up a 15 TPD bio-methanation plant at Sonsodo.
In March 2024, while hearing a PIL filed by Citizens For Sonsodo through its secretary Roque Mascarenhas, the High Court had directed the MMC to file an affidavit on the bio-methanation plant, repairs to the landfill site, and testing of leachate at Sonsodo. However, the MMC did not file the affidavit, stating that the Chief Minister-headed High Powered Coordination Committee (HPCC) had not yet decided on the garbage treatment plant.
The Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) wrote to the MMC on 27 May, reminding the council of its submission before the High Court and advising it to take a decision and file an affidavit in the PIL WP 45/2019.
The GWMC also informed the MMC that it had invited tenders on 2 January 2024 to construct a sanitary landfill at Sonsodo. However, despite follow-ups until January 2025, the MMC did not pay the balance amount of Rs 91.64 lakh, forcing the GWMC to cancel the tender after the bid validity expired.
Gasification plant proposal at Sonsodo also up for discussion
MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) meeting will also discuss and decide on a proposal from the Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) to set up a gasification plant at Sonsodo. GEDA had invited tenders on behalf of the MMC to set up a 10-tonne gasification plant at Sonsodo. However, since the cost will have to be paid by the MMC, the proposal has been placed before the Council for a decision.
Sources said that if approved, this will be the first time gasification technology is used in Goa at Sonsodo. According to GEDA officials, gasification plants can help tackle mixed waste dumped and left at black spots across the city.
