PANAJI
Six village panchayats in Tiswadi are staring at a waste management crisis with the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) abruptly halting taking in garbage at its Saligao facility, citing maintenance work and the government coming up with no tangible alternative for them.
The suspension, which came into effect on Monday, has affected St Cruz, Merces, Chimbel, Curca-Bambolim, Old Goa and Corlim, leaving the local bodies struggling to find alternatives for the disposal of daily wet waste.
St Cruz Sarpanch Jennifer Oliveira said the situation was becoming increasingly difficult, particularly because no alternative arrangement has been provided by the government.
"We are struggling. Dry waste is being baled and stored, but wet waste has to be collected and processed every day. Otherwise, villages will be full of black spots," Oliveira told The Goan.
She said a delegation representing some of the affected panchayats will meet officials at the Saligao plant on Thursday to ascertain how long the facility will remain closed and to explore possible alternative arrangements.
According to Oliveira, government authorities have so far failed to suggest any interim solution to manage the waste generated in these six villages.
"The authorities have not offered any alternative. Managing the waste on our own will be difficult as any temporary arrangement will involve additional expenditure that is not budgeted for," she said.
The disruption has raised concerns among these local bodies about the accumulation of untreated wet waste in residential areas if the shutdown continues for an extended period.
Panchayat officials fear that delays in disposal could also lead to unhygienic conditions and trigger public complaints.
The affected panchayats are now seeking clarity from GWMC on the duration of the maintenance work and the measures that can be put in place to prevent a waste management backlog.
