PANJIM: Congress on Wednesday raised strong objection to the State Government’s decision to expand the capacity of Solid Waste Treatment Plant at Saligao stating that the move is a blow to the people of Saligao, who, the party claimed, are already suffering due to mismanaged treatment system. 

Addressing media persons, Congress spokesperson Tulio De Souza said that there is no point in expanding the plant’s capacity until the villages provide segregated waste for treatment. 

He said that the plant was not designed to handle un-segregated waste and that due to the excess capacity of un-segregated waste, the plant was malfunctioning and creating an unbearable stench in the vicinity.

He said that the Congress condemns the government for deciding to expand the plant.

The spokesperson highlighted that the Goa State Pollution Control Board had issued a show cause notice to the plant in December pointing to its deficiencies. 

“The very fact that the North Goa Collector issued circular stopping garbage from outside Bardez from being treated at the plant is an admission that excess waste was being sent to the plant,” De Souza said.

Meanwhile, the Congress leader also expressed surprise over the fresh guidelines issued by Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department for zone changes under Section 16B of the TCP Act.

“There is nothing new in the guidelines as these restrictions were always there. So many zone changes have been done and even private forests have been converted so why did the TCP Department suddenly remember the guidelines?” he said.