MARGAO
A day after opening the financial bids for the three 5-TPD bio-methanation plants to address the waste disposal problem plaguing the commercial capital, Margao Municipal Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes has said that he is in favour of installing one bio-methanation plant initially to check the efficacy of the technology before the civic body decides to go for more plants.
“It is a fact that the MMC had floated the tender to set up three bio-methanation plants in the city. The Council has now opened the financial bids, which has now qualified two companies to set up the three plants,” the Chief Officer said.
He, however, hastened to add that prudence demands that the civic body install only one of the three bio-methanation plants in the city initially to test the garbage treatment technology and whether the plants suit the purpose of the city. “If the technology is found feasible, the Council can then go ahead with the setting up of the three plants if not more,” he added.
“Each of these bio-methanation plants cost around Rs 2.39 crore. Ultimately, the money that will be utilised to procure these plants belongs to the citizens and the tax payers. We should first test the technology and then for the additional plants,” he added.
The Chief Officer’s stand should set at rest speculations that the MMC is rushing with the opening of the bio-methanation plant tenders to satisfy the powers that be presiding over the Municipal administration.
After the opening of the financial bids, these three companies have qualified to set up the three bio-methanation plants at the SGPDA markets “ Atmos Power Pvt Ltd “ Rs 2.39 crore; Urja Bio System Pvt Ltd “ Rs 2.40 crore; Urja Bio System Pvt Ltd “ Rs 2.39 crore.
Meanwhile, Shadow Council for Margao (SCM) convener Savio Coutinho has suggested that it would be prudence for the Margao Municipal Council to initially set up one plant of 5-TPD, and let the company prove its efficiency, to secure the order for the remaining plants.
“The SCM in no terms wishes to state that the plants costing Rs 2.39 crore is the ultimate solution as we are yet to see the functioning of these plants. Under such circumstances, it will be prudent for the Council to initially set up one plant of 5-TPD, and let the company prove its efficacy, to secure the order for the remaining plants,” he said.
He further said with the MMC opening of the bids of the bio-methanation plants, the charges of the Shadow Council over the “double pricing” of the GWMC plants stands vindicated.
Ever since the outgoing Council found sudden love for bio-methanation plants, each costing Rs 4.81 crore, the SCM has been demanding for explanation as to what special features of the GWMC plants make them cost more than double. Till today, no authority has come forward to justify the double pricing of the 5-TPD capacity plants, but the demand continues to persist. Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo had even made charges against the Shadow Council for Margao,” he added.
