PANAJI
While a full-blown garbage crisis has not yet erupted and heaps of waste and black spots are still not visibly strewn across public spaces in St Cruz, Merces, Chimbel and other panchayats in Tiswadi, these villages are inching towards one as they struggle to find alternatives for the disposal of daily wet waste 10 days after the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) stopped accepting garbage at its Saligao treatment facility.
The shutdown of the plant for maintenance work has affected St Cruz, Merces, Chimbel, Curca-Bambolim, Old Goa and Corlim, forcing the panchayats to rely on temporary arrangements to prevent a pile-up of biodegradable waste. However, the St Cruz panchayat authorities warn that the stopgap measures are neither sustainable nor financially viable if the closure continues for much longer.
"We have managed to avoid a crisis so far, but the pressure is increasing every day," said St Cruz Sarpanch Jennifer Oliveira. "Wet waste cannot be stored indefinitely. If a proper alternative is not provided soon, black spots could start appearing across the village," Oliveira said.
While dry waste continues to be baled and stored, wet waste requires immediate processing and disposal. Panchayat officials say they have received little clarity on when the Saligao facility will resume operations and have not been offered a viable interim solution by the government.
A senior panchayat official said local bodies were being forced to make ad hoc arrangements to keep waste collection services running.
"Residents may not see the problem today, but the system is under stress. If the shutdown is prolonged, the situation could become unmanageable soon."
Residents too are beginning to voice concern. "So far, garbage collection has not been affected in our area, but there is anxiety because nobody knows how long this arrangement can continue," said Merces resident Maria Fernandes.
With panchayats already warning of mounting logistical and financial challenges, they are seeking immediate intervention from GWMC and the government before the situation escalates into a visible public health and sanitation issue.
