09 Dec 2019  |   06:20am IST

Govt tells Court it is finalising laws to deal with solid waste

Saligao treatment facility capacity to be enhanced to 250 tonnes per day by November 2020, says AG

Team Herald

PANJIM: The State Government has informed the High Court of Bombay at Goa that it is in process of finalising model by-laws for dealing with solid waste management issue by the local governing bodies like municipalities and panchayats. 

During the hearing on suo-motu writ petition on December 5, Government also submitted that the proposed Saligao waste treatment facility capacity would be enhanced to 250 tonnes per day by November 2020. 

Advocate General D Pangam informed Court that the State Government is in the process of finalising model by-laws for dealing with the issue of Solid Waste Management by Municipal Councils and the same will be finalised within some reasonable period. 

He stated that the precise date by which they will be finalised, will be informed to the Court by next date that is by January 29, 2020. "A similar exercise will be undertaken in respect of the Panchayats as well," the order issued by division bench of Justice CV Bhadang and Justice MS Sonak, reads. 

Following submission by the State government on Saligao treatment facility, the Court said that taking into consideration the magnitude of the problem of waste disposal/treatment, it once again direct that all steps be taken to ensure that this capacity is enhanced to 250 TPD latest by end of November 2020. State has been asked to submit the status report in this regard on or before the next date of hearing.

During the hearing, Court expressed complete displeasure over slow progress of work as far as Cacora and Bainguinim solid waste management facilities are concerned and sought the status report on both the projects during next date. 

"Again, we note that it is essential that expeditious steps are taken to make this facility operational," the order stated.

Court has asked government to ensure that the establishment and commissioning of the 'plastic to fuel plant' at Pernem taluka is completed by January 15, 2020.

As far as site for disposal of construction and demolition debris is concerned, the Advocate General stated that a site has been identified in Curchorem Village of Bicholim Taluka and that within a period of one month, the necessary notification will be issued notifying this site so that the same can be operational.

"The learned Advocate General also states that in the meanwhile that locations have been identified at Bicholim, Mayem, Sattari, Pernem and Dharbandora for temporary facilities for disposal of construction and demolition debris. He states that notification in this regard will also be issued within a period of one month," the Court said. 

Further in its submission with regards to action against the local bodies over solid waste management is concerned, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) stated that up to now notices/directions have been issued to almost 169 local bodies and for the rest it would be completed within a week’s time.

IDhar UDHAR

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