At the heart of the contentious issue was the need and capacity for the SWMF in Curchorem. The SWMF at Cacora-Curchorem required 100 tonnes garbage per day and since Curchorem generates only 10 tonnes per day, the idea that Cacora would need to “import” 90 tonnes of garbage from other areas angered the community in the area.
While local farmers feared that the proposed SWMF would destroy their adjacent fields, the issue also generated heated debates between the local BJP and Congress leaders.
Some Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Councillors objected to the proposed project. CCMC Councillor Puskal Sawant opposed it on grounds that Curchorem generated only 10 tonnes of garbage per day, well short of the quantity required to be treated at the proposed plant.
“Instead of importing 90 tonnes of garbage from other areas, it is better we export 10 tonnes of garbage out of Curchorem-Cacora,” Sawant had said.
Ward Councillor Alifa Fernandes raised fears of pollution. “Mining trucks ply through Curchorem-Cacora and if we allow the project, then garbage trucks will also enter Curchorem. Why should only Curchorem people suffer from pollution? We only collect about 10 tonnes of garbage per day. We need a small plant and I fully support my people who are opposing the project in our ward,” Fernandes had said.
On the other hand, Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral had supported the project. “Do not politicize the proposed garbage treatment plant at Cacora,” Cabral had urged the councillors of CCMC during a council meeting.
“The proposed Rs 100-crore SWMF project would be spread across 65,000 sq metres of land and will be built using German technology. It will also generate employment,” Cabral had told the councillors.
Later, when the matter came up for discussion during the council meeting to set up the project through the Directorate of Science, Technology and Environment (DSTE), the CCMC decided to send its terms and conditions to DMA. Depending on the response from the DMA, the council would then decide whether to lease its land to DSTE or not.
It is now learnt that the DSTE has already taken possession of the land from CCMC.
