Team Herald
MAPUSA: Waste Management Minister, Michael Lobo while stating that he understands the problem of the people of Saligao said he would help find a solution to the spillage of leachate on the road by the trucks going to the treatment plant at Saligao.
A meeting held on Monday at the solid waste management plant at Saligao to chalk out a solution to the leachate flowing from trucks was attended by the Sarpanchas and Secretaries from across various panchayats in North Goa.
Lobo issued directions to the panchayats that their trucks carrying garbage would not be permitted inside the plant if leachate was spilling from the trucks which were uncovered.
During the meeting the Sarpanch of Saligao, Shraddha Borkar raised the issue of foul smell emitting from the plant. She also highlighted the problems faced by the students of a school in Saligao.
In reply, Lobo said he would personally visit the school and see if the smell was really bad.
He also said that the existing capacity of the plant was only to treat 27 village panchayats.
“We have noticed that the trucks bringing garbage to the plant do not have leachate tanks fixed to them and many are uncovered. The panchayats have to ensure that the trucks carrying garbage have to be fitted with tanks as per the Solid Waste Management rules. Not only the people of Saligao but also Verla-Canca and Parra are upset with the spillage of leachate on the roads,” said Lobo.
He also told the elected representatives of the village panchayats that all of them will get orders to fit leachate tanks on their garbage trucks.
“We need NGOs to keep a check mate on us. They also need to be positive as such plants are the need of the hour. At least 30 per cent of Goa’s problem of dry and wet waste is taken care of by this plant. The expansion of the plant will benefit or rather cater to only the present panchayats,” said Lobo.
The Managing Director of the Goa Solid Waste Management Plant, Levinson Martins was also present.
It may recalled that some locals from Saligao halted a truck on Sunday which was transporting garbage from Taleigao without being properly covered as a result there was a spillage of leachate on the roads creating nuisance to the locals.
