MAPUSA
Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo has said that it was not right to compare the illegal structure coming up in the heritage zone at Old Goa and the Bainguinim waste treatment plant proposed in the village but conceded that if people and the courts unanimously say ‘no’ to the project then the government will have to bow down to people’s wish.
“The structure and the waste treatment plant are two different things. Bainguinim is two kilometres away from Old Goa, and the waste treatment plant is a public-oriented project which is very much required for Tiswadi. But if people and the courts say no, then the government will also say no,” Lobo said.
The locals and the church authorities had raised a hue and cry against the waste treatment plant claiming that the project coming up close to the heritage area could cause more harm than good.
Lobo said that few people were opposing the waste treatment plant project but the majority of the people were aware that the waste generated should be disposed of scientifically.
He said at the moment the waste generated by the people was being just dumped in rivers, roadside, nullahs, ponds.
“It has to be treated, and if it does not happen, then Panjim and Tiswadi will stink. It will be difficult for Old Goa and all those panchayats of Cumbarjua and five constituencies of Tiswadi. It will be very difficult to treat wet waste,” he said.
