Team Herald
MARGAO: In the absence of a designated site, the State authorities are found struggling to control the disposal of construction and demolition (C&D) waste by the roadside, causing frustration among the residents of South Goa, who have demanded a long-term solution.
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The Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) has acknowledged the problem and has taken steps to address it. They have reached out to the South Goa Collector’s office to request the identification of a suitable plot of land—at least 50,000 sqms and free from encumbrances—to set up a dedicated C&D waste management facility. This would allow for the proper processing and recycling of such waste, preventing it from being dumped in public spaces.
Further complicating the situation is the high cost of transporting C&D waste to temporary storage facilities, such as the one at Tuem-Pernem, which are far from some areas in South Goa. This logistical challenge has been an additional burden on the authorities.
The GWMC is also collaborating with SINTEF, a Norwegian research organisation, to develop new technologies and scientific solutions for recycling C&D waste.
This collaboration is expected to bring innovative methods for processing and repurposing construction and demolition debris, making the recycling process more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Despite these efforts, local citizens, like Manoj Naik, have voiced frustration over the growing piles of waste being discarded along the roadsides. The problem is not just an eyesore, but also a potential public health and environmental hazard.
According to Srinet Kothwale, Additional Collector I, current regulations under the Public Works Department allow for waste to be dumped at the roadside, but he emphasised that the GWMC is actively working on finding a solution and identifying land for the new facility.
As the demand for a waste management solution grows, it’s clear that swift action is needed to prevent further environmental degradation and improve the quality of life for residents in South Goa.
