MAPUSA
Suspending waste intake from eight local bodies was the only operational option before the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) after a fire damaged a bio-digester at the Saligao solid waste treatment plant, reducing its wet waste processing capacity by 20%, GWMC Managing Director Harish Adconkar has said.
The corporation has suspended the acceptance of municipal solid waste from Mapusa and Mormugao municipal councils and six panchayats – Chimbel, Santa Cruz, Corlim, Curca, Old Goa and Merces – for 25 days from October 10.
“Our first and foremost commitment is to the catchment areas. Therefore, we have to prioritise waste collection from coastal panchayats such as Calangute, Candolim, Anjuna, Pilerne and Saligao,” Adconkar said. He ruled out collecting waste on a rotational basis, saying the arrangement would force panchayats to store waste for several days, leading to putrefaction and foul odour. With the disruption affecting the plant’s ability to process wet waste, the corporation has advised the eight local bodies to adopt alternative methods, including windrow composting and the use of organic waste converters.
Adconkar said GWMC was also prepared to extend further guidance and assistance wherever necessary.
“We have informed all the municipalities and panchayats concerned. We will meet them and provide whatever guidance is required,” he said, adding that the local bodies had already started implementing the suggested measures. Explaining the reason for the suspension, Adconkar said a small fire incident had damaged one of the plant’s bio-digesters, necessitating its replacement. The corporation had immediately attended to the damage and ordered the required material, but the replacement would take time. “There is no issue with the processing, but we cannot load the bio-digester. What we have done is restrict operations to 80%, so 20% of the capacity has been affected,” he said.The Saligao plant has a total processing capacity of 250 tonnes per day (TPD), comprising 150 TPD of wet waste and 100 TPD of dry waste.
Adconkar clarified that dry waste processing had not been affected by the incident. The 25-day suspension is a temporary measure pending the replacement of the damaged bio-digester. Adconkar said the period could be shortened depending on when the required material arrives and the replacement can be installed.
Meanwhile, the corporation has advised the affected local bodies to treat their wet waste locally through windrow composting and organic waste converters rather than depend on the Saligao facility during the suspension. “They have organic waste converters also. If they still need any help, we will provide it,” Adconkar said, expressing confidence that the local bodies would be able to manage their waste with the guidance already provided by GWMC.
