the goan I network
PORVORIM
Stating that the Saligao Solid Waste Management Plant (SWMP) receives around 180-200 tonnes of waste from 27 panchayats daily, Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo said the State government will upgrade this plant at a cost of Rs 90 crore.
Appreciating the performance at the Saligao SWMP, Lobo also said a similar plant would be set up at Kundaim shortly, while plans are afoot to set up SWMPs at Bainguinim, Verna and Sonsodo.
He was speaking at Pilerne at a function organised by the Pilerne-Marra panchayat on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Lobo said the Solid Waste Management Corporation has decided to support poorer panchayats to purchase garbage compactors.
The minister requested panchayats to take act stern action against commercial establishments, restaurants and hotels which fail to segregate garbage and dump waste in open places.
“The State government’s objective to make Goa a garbage-free state will not be achieved without public support and cooperation. People should not oppose projects of garbage treatment plants for the sake of opposition,” said Lobo.
Solid Waste Management corporation Engineer Dheeraj Chodankar said the Saligao SWMP receives around 90 per cent garbage from
Pilerne panchayat which is segregated.
“Other panchayats should also send their garbage duly segregated which becomes easier for the Saligao SWMP to treat garbage faster. People should not send electrical bulbs and tube lights, besides biomedical waste such as sanitary napkins etc along with the garbage,” said Chodankar.
Pilerne Sarpanch Amarnath Govekar said the panchayat had carried out a massive cleanliness drive from September 24 to October 1.
“The panchayat has taken all steps to ensure that the village is maintained clean, which is why no malaria and dengue cases have been reported in Pilerne.”
“The panchayat had received an award from the State government last year for being the cleanest panchayat and we hope to receive the same award this year too,” said Govekar.
Panch member Sandeep Bandodkar also spoke at the function. On the occasion, those people who supported the panchayat in the cleanliness drive were felicitated by Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo.
