Saligao garbage plant set to be benchmark
the goan network
MAPUSA
Saligao Sarpanch Eknath Oraskar on Sunday disclosed that the government has plans to construct three garbage treatment plants in the State.
“The State government plans to construct solid waste treatment plants at Saligao, Bainguinim and Kakoda. Only after the success of these treatment plants will the government decide to go for more such plants in other parts of Goa,” Oraskar informed the Gram Sabha in Saligao.
Quoting the information from documents he sourced through RTI, the Saligao sarpanch further disclosed that around 162 tonnes of garbage will be treated per day at the upcoming treatment plant at the Saligao plateau.
He further informed that 54,000 tonnes of garbage is stacked at the plant site which will also be simultaneously treated.
Replying to the question raised by Gram Sabha member, Alice D’Cruz, on his stand on treatment of garbage at the new plant, Oraskar said he was not in favour of treating garbage of entire North Goa at the Saligao plant.
“I also want a dedicated road for transportation of the garbage to the treatment site,” he added.
According to the sarpanch, the three coastal villages of Saligao, Calangute and Candolim jointly produced around 160 tonnes of garbage per day.
Architect Dean D’Cruz wondered if the three coastal villages together produced 160 tonnes of garbage, the amount that can be treated by the plant, then how and when the stacked 54,000 tonnes of waste at the site will be treated.
Brigadier Ian D’Costa suggested passing a resolution that waste of only three coastal villages of Saligao, Candolim and Calangute be treated at the Saligao plant. The sarpanch said a resolution to that effect has already been taken in the past.
D’Costa further suggested that henceforth no more land be given to the government for any purpose.
Alice D’Cruz said residents of Saligao had to suffer the stink emanating from the garbage at Saligao, as most other villages did not segregate garbage properly.
“It’s only the village of Saligao that segregates garbage properly,” she said and suggested that a resolution be passed requesting other villages to segregate their garbage properly.
After passing the resolution, the sarpanch said he will write to the 10 neighbouring panchayats requesting them to segregate their garbage.
Gram Sabha member, Olinda Sequeira, requested the panchayat to take the lead in appointing a counsellor for the sake of children who go into depression.
The panchayat agreed to appoint a counsellor at the North Goa District Hospital and decided to send a proposal to the government to allow every panchayat to have a counsellor.
