Before Calangute MLA Michael Lobo even took charge of the new ministry created, the Ministry of Waste Management, he was firm in his resolve that the 250 tonnes per day (TPD) Bainguinim Waste Treatment Plant would be set up. In fact after the inauguration of his new office a couple of days ago, Lobo said that as soon as the project received environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, the tender process for the plant would start.
The Goa government is hard pressed for time to come up with a solution to the garbage crises in that is already upon North Goa, with the Saligao Waste Treatment Plant having exceeded its capacity.
As Lobo told reporters post the inauguration of his new office, the government’s immediate aim is to set up the plant in Bainguinim to take care of the waste of the five constituencies in Tiswadi taluka, as well as some of the villages of Ponda. He said that almost two lakh square metres of land was acquired by the then government for the purpose almost 15 years ago. The government had for a while handed over the land to the Corporation of the City of Panaji, who has now handed it back to the Solid Waste Management Corporation, said Lobo. Once the plant is in place, Lobo said it would take care of a lot of waste problems like the State’s bio-medical waste, and construction debris waste. But Lobo is keen to have the public on board with this plan, he said. A public hearing has been fixed to discuss the issue on July 28.
