MAPUSA
The general body of the Tivim comunidade has turned down the local panchayat’s request to allot land at Survey No 518/0 for the establishment of a Material Recovery Facility (MRF).
Instead, the comunidade has agreed to provide an alternate piece of land at Cansa, Tivim, for the project.
The Tivim village panchayat had initially sought an allotment of 3,000 square metres of land for the construction of an MRF shed, which is crucial for managing and processing dry waste in the village.
At present, the panchayat is sorting and handling dry waste on land adjacent to the panchayat building in Tivim.
However, with waste management being a pressing issue, the panchayat had hoped to set up a dedicated facility at Survey No. 518/0 which belongs to local comunidade.
In response to the panchayat’s request, the Tivim comunidade convened an extraordinary general body meeting on March 2 to deliberate on the matter. Following discussions, some of the members decided against granting the requested land for the MRF facility.
Senior panchayat member Shivdas Kambli revealed that some gaunkars opposed the proposal despite the land being deemed an ideal location for the facility.
“The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) had inspected the land in Survey No. 518/0 and found it suitable for setting up the MRF facility,” Kambli stated.
“With the comunidade unwilling to grant the land, we now have to assess the feasibility of the alternate site provided,” he added.
He further explained that officials from the GSPCB will have to conduct a fresh inspection of the proposed site in Cansa to determine its suitability for the MRF. The setback is expected to delay the project as the panchayat awaits the board’s evaluation of the new site.
The need for MRF facilities in village panchayats has been under close scrutiny by the High Court, which has been actively monitoring the progress of their construction and operation.
Two years ago, the court had taken a firm stance on waste management and restrained at least 15 panchayats from issuing construction licenses until they had set up proper MRF infrastructure.
With the comunidade’s rejection of the initial site and the requirement for a new assessment at the alternative location, the Tivim panchayat now faces another hurdle in its efforts to comply with waste management regulations and the High Court’s directives.
