Nearly 195 tonnes of inert waste from the Sonsoddo garbage dump has been cleared by dumping it at the low lying areas at Madel belonging to the Margao Municipal council and the officials were confident of having enough of space to dump the remaining inert waste.

Speaking to media persons Chief Office Y B Tawde admitted that of the two machines given to strain the accumulated waste, only one is working and the other one is having some problems.

The accumulated waste is divided by the machines into three parts. The first being plain plastic, the second being the inert waste and third being the manure. 

The plastic is baled and sent to Karnataka to be used in the kilks while the MMC has given its land at Maddel for dumping the inert waste mixed with mud. So far 38 truckloads and 3 rickshaws filled with inert have been taken away from Sonsoddo.

The manure separated is still not disposed nor has it been tested for purity. However, Tawde assured that the manure would not be introduced to food chain and would be used only for social forestry purpose and not for any plants bearing fruits or vegetables that can be consumed.

He revealed that the Maddel area will be able to take in around 400 truckload of inert waste while as of now only 38 truckloads have been dumped.

While pointing out that Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation has undertaken the job of clearing the accumulated garbage at Sonsoddo, he said that agency would best know when the second straining machine would be repaired and ready to work.

However, neither of the two supervisors appointed by the contractor dealing with the job were available for comments and the likelihood of the second machine getting repaired soon hangs in balance.