FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government has decided to keep on hold the Rs 240 crore, Integrated Solid Waste Management Plant (ISWMP) at Bainguinim, considered to be a centralised facility for the State, due to financial constraints.
The government will now direct all the panchayats, including St Cruz and Old Goa, to send their wet waste for treatment at Saligao SWMP, which is currently handling garbage from the North Coastal belt along with Panjim and Taleigao.
The decision was taken during a meeting held between Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo on Tuesday.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Lobo confirmed this and said, “The Saligao plant is currently handling 15 tonnes of wet waste coming from Panjim and Taleigao together. We will request St Cruz and Old Goa panchayats to send their wet garbage to Saligao.” He added that the Saligao plant is going for expansion from 150 TPD to 250 TPD.
Lobo explained that due to the COVID crisis, the tourism industry, which generates the maximum waste, will take at least six to eight months to revive and 12-14 months to get started full-fledged. “So the waste generation will be limited for treatment even at Saligao plant, which can handle waste from Central Goa,” the Minister said.
