A garbage treatment plant (GTP) was set up atop the Saligao-Calangute plateau with much fanfare spending a whopping Rs 140 crore by bullying the people of Saligao and promising them of giving a definite permanent solution to the long-term waste problem.
Unfortunately, the people of Saligao were backstabbed as this important promise was never kept and trucks from across North Goa were slowly also allowed to bring in their garbage at the newly inaugurated plant. Today, the said plant as expected has turned into a big nightmare for the villagers as it is spreading filthy smell and has even contaminated the groundwater/ polluted most wells in the village, including the very famous Salmona Spring (though the government officials still deny the charge).
Unfortunately, the government of the day reportedly seems to have already started its work in full swing of further expanding the capacity of the plant from the current 120 to 250 tonnes despite strong protests.
Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo claims expansion of the Saligao plant will solve the garbage problem once and for all. But he doesn’t realise he is adding more salt to the already inflicted wounds on the people of Saligao by supporting this expansion of a failed garbage plant.
