The residents of Calangute and Saligao were initially apprehensive about the SWMP coming up at the plateau. Then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar tried to allay their fears by holding a demonstration of the proposed facilities. He also assured that the plant would be only for Calangute and Saligao constituencies, and possibly the surrounding villages.
The residents, especially from Saligao, were not convinced with the proposal and had even suggested an exclusive plant for Calangute. The government then sent a team of politicians and locals on a study tour at the taxpayers’ cost in a sort of appease-and-please policy.
However, Saligao residents continued to oppose the plant to save the famous Salmona Spring in Saligao and Mottant in Calangute. The politicians did not heed their pleas or opposition; they went ahead with the project and termed the opponents as “anti-development”.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who termed the SWMP as his baby, allayed the locals’ fears by stating that the plant will be exclusively for the North coastal villages. Fingers are now pointed at the Calangute comunidade for giving up its land for the project and not safeguarding the interest of the village.
Parrikar, who visited the Saligao panchayat following opposition from the locals, had stated, “I am making it clear that the garbage treatment plant is only for Calangute and Saligao constituencies, and maybe nearby coastal villages. It is not for the entire North Goa. We will be setting up similar plants in other villages in due time. We have been working to set up the plant for over a year now and we will be going ahead only after due process is followed. There will be no foul smell emanating from the plant or while transporting garbage to the plant.”
Replying to Parrikar, a local Dean D’Cruz stated, “Calangute generates 80 tons of garbage daily, which may go up to 100 tons by the time the plant is set up. So it is basically being set up for Calangute. Therefore, we would appreciate it if the plant is shifted to another location on the plateau, which will be away from both springs of Salmona in Saligao and Mottant in Calangute.”
He continued, “The dumping at the present site is also not done scientifically, despite court directives to the Calangute panchayat. Everything is in a mess. The villagers are already facing problems due to the foul-smelling garbage dumped at the site and are apprehensive of the garbage treatment plant coming up. This should be kept in mind while setting up the plant at the plateau.”
Calangute deputy sarpanch Joseph Sequeira has termed the development as another ‘u-turn’ of the BJP government. He stated, “We were not told that the plant would be for North Goa, and the plant is not like the one we were shown during our tour of European countries. We were also not taken into confidence for the construction of the plant.”
Calangute Ex-MLA Agnelo Fernandes has also opposed the solid waste management plant being thrown open to the entire North Goa, thereby making Calangute the “Queen of Garbage”.
