MARGAO: Five prospective bidders including Urja Bio System Private Limited, Pune have shown interest for the Expression of Interest (EOI) to set up two biomethanation plants with electricity generation of 25 TPD at Sonsoddo dump yard, as bids were opened on Wednesday.
Organic Recycling System Private Limited, Navi Mumbai, Orgafuels and Energy Private Limited, Punjab, Tararani Agro Tech Private Limited, Kolhapur, Mailhem Environment, Pune, besides Urja Bio System Private Limited, Pune are amongst the bidders.
Margao Municipal Council (MMC) chief officer Agnelo Fernandes said the names of the bidders will be sent to a committee appointed by the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) for approval.
“Once approved, the tender will be floated followed by work orders. We expect that the long pending garbage issue with regards to the treatment will be resolved once the biomethanation plants are installed at Sonsoddo”, said Chief Officer.
According to MMC sources, two other biomethanation plants of 5 TPD installed at the South Goa Planning and Development Authority market are likely to be commissioned next month (October). Three more biomethanation plants of same capacity will be installed in the jurisdiction of the civic body.
The two 25 tonnes capacity plants include the work of design, build, supply, install, commissioning and commercial operation of the biodegradable waste provided by MMC.
It is pertinent to note that work pertaining to installation of the biomethanation plants of five TPD at SGPDA Market has been initiated through the Urja Bio System Pvt Ltd. The work is underway and is most likely to be commissioned in October.
It may be recalled that after the meeting of the High Powered Co-ordination Committee chaired by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on February 22, 2021 it was decided to install only one biomethanation plant to deal with 5 tonnes of garbage daily at the SGPDA Market.
However, depending on its efficacy, a decision had to be taken on setting up the other two plants. The present plant is being set up at Rs 2,40,87,262.50.
The setting up of a biomethanation plant to deal with garbage in Margao is mired in controversies as there has been much debate on the number of plants to be set up.
However, protests from various quarters stalled that plan and the issue came up after the Council was dissolved.
The Chief Officer had argued to set up only one plant and depending on its performance would decide the future course of action.
This argument was accepted by the High Powered Co-ordination Committee in the presence of Chief Minister, Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo, Leader of Opposition and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai.
