The temporary shutdown has highlighted the need for reliable backup systems for waste disposal.
PANAJI
With the Saligao waste treatment plantrefusing to accept wet waste from six Tiswadi panchayat jurisdictions forapproximately 25 days due to maintenance work, village bodies have been forcedto improvise to prevent a garbage crisis.
So far, the situation remains within the gripof panchayats in St Cruz, Merces, Chimbel, Curca-Bambolim, Old Goa and Corlim.But officials and residents fear that the temporary arrangements may not besustainable if the disruption continues.
For nearly two weeks, the panchayats havescrambled to manage the volumes of wet waste generated in their villages,normally transported daily to the Saligao facility.
Stop-gapmeasures
In Old Goa, the panchayat has resorted toburying a portion of the collected wet waste in pits dug on the Narayan SukhiBhakiya property, a site better known as a vehicle parking area during the annualSt Francis Xavier novena and feast. Workers engaged by the panchayat have beenexcavating pits, dumping the waste and covering it with soil in the hope thatit will eventually compost.
"We have no other option at themoment," said an Old Goa panchayat member, adding that the waste is beingburied in a controlled manner. "It is only a temporary arrangement untilthe Saligao facility resumes operations," he said.
Across the six village panchayats, similarstop-gap measures are being adopted where local bodies are relying on availableland, intensified segregation efforts and appeals to residents to manageorganic waste at source. A senior functionary from one of the affectedpanchayats admitted that the shutdown had exposed the lack of contingencyplanning. "Everybody depends on the treatment plant. Once that optioncloses, even for a few weeks, panchayats have very limited alternatives,"the official said.
In Corlim, concerns are growing as the localbody is said to have suspended wet waste collection in some areas and residentsalleged that the panchayat's contractor has stopped collecting organic wastefrom households.
Strugglefor apartments
While many owners of single-family homes saythey are somehow managing by feeding animals or disposing of kitchen wastewithin their properties, apartment complexes face a different reality. "Wegenerate a significant quantity of wet waste every day," said a residentof a multi-dwelling housing complex in Corlim. "Individual composting isnot practical for every apartment. If collection does not resume soon, we couldhave a serious problem."
"People understand that maintenance workis necessary. But there should have been an alternative system in place. Wecannot be expected to store wet waste indefinitely," said anotherresident, who did not wish to be identified.
Dumpingconcerns
Residents across the other affected villageshave reported isolated instances of garbage being dumped at public spots androadside corners. However, no major accumulation of waste has yet beenwitnessed in St Cruz, Merces, Chimbel and Curca-Bambolim, where residents saidconditions remained largely manageable, although fears persist that thesituation could deteriorate if the shutdown extends beyond the scheduledperiod.
Environmental activists have cautioned thatburying untreated wet waste should remain a short-term emergency measure. "Ifburial pits are not scientifically managed, they can create problems related toodour, leachate and pests," said an environmental campaigner, adding thatthe authorities and the government must give a serious thought to setting upsustainable backup plans for situations like these.
