PANJIM: The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has now decided to conduct the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study of the proposed modernized solid waste treatment plant at Bainguinim. The Corporation will be also writing to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department requesting it to continue to mark the area identified for the project as Garbage Treatment Zone (GTZ) under Regional Plan 2021.
Government has decided to set up the treatment plant at Bainguinim based on German technology on Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (DBOT) basis, at an estimated cost of around Rs 140 crore.
Speaking to HERALD, CCP Commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues said that the corporation will now initiate the process to conduct the EIA study of the proposed project. “We have to conduct the EIA study before going ahead with the project,” he said, adding EIA study is important to get environment clearance (EC) from the environment department.
The National Environmental Engineering and Research Institute (NEERI) is likely to conduct the EIA study, in lines with the study conducted by it for the waste management facility at Saligao.
The Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) has sought detailed analysis from CCP over the possible social, economic and environmental impact on the State due to the proposed facility Bainguinim. The analysis has been sought considering that the State has already undertaken construction of two such plants in Saligao (North Goa) and Cacora (South Goa).
CCP had applied for consent from the environment department for setting up of the facility. The department in-turn raised the question on feasibility/sustainability of such facility.
Meanwhile, CCP will be also writing to TCP to continue to mark the area as GTZ under RP21. In 2010, CCP had managed to get the area declared as GTZ but since the plan was in abeyance, the Corporation decided to get it declared as industrial zone; however the same was objected by the council.
Rodrigues said with opening up of RP21 for fresh comments, we would once again submit our request to ensure that the area continues to be marked as GTZ. “It is already declared as GTZ. We just want to ensure now that there are no changes in it,” he said.
