Team Herald
PORVORIM: With the garbage problem plaguing Goa amid opposition to several proposed sites for treating waste, the State government was on Thursday urged to examine various aspects including people’s consent before going ahead with its project to resolve the problem.
Opposition to garbage treatment plants at Verna Industrial Estate, Bainguinim, and dumping of waste in open despite the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) across villages were discussed during the demands for grants.
Nuvem MLA Aleixo Sequeira raised apprehensions that the proposed plant will spell doom not only for the companies operating from the world recognised Verna IDC but the health of the people will also be largely affected. The Congress legislator demanded that the government conducts a water audit in and around the Saligao garbage treatment plant before going ahead with the project at Verna IDC.
“The leachate from the garbage seeps into the groundwater polluting the water table. This area (IDC) is surrounded by villages… all wells will be polluted. I demand that the Minister conducts a water audit in the Saligao plant area before moving ahead with the garbage plant at Verna IDC. Let him conduct the audit and tell us what the water quality is, although it is a known fact the groundwater is polluted,” he said insisting that government gives a thought to the project in Verna.
“It will not only make water unfit for human consumption because of the presence of heavy metals, but it might also even lead to a higher level of sickness, especially for growth and development of human beings. The landfill site is needed around the garbage treatment plant to treat the waste and then dispose it off in the landfill, which in turn, will leach thus causing the entry of heavy metals into the environment, plants, animals and humans too,” he further added.
Claiming that the Verna IDC, which was once visited by then US President Bill Clinton, will have a severe impact as a result of the proposed garbage plant, the consequences for pharma companies will also be disastrous.
While urging the government to be sensitive to the demands of the people opposing the site for setting up the project, Sequeira also sought to know if the government obtained NOC from the Airports Authority of India considering that Verna forms a part of the funnel area.
Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira, taking part in the discussion, also urged the government to take people into confidence before going ahead with the controversial Bainguinim solid waste treatment plant. He reminded the House that the villagers, at a public meeting, had vehemently opposed the project citing ill effects on their health. “The public had opposed the garbage plant. I think we should not force this on them and as per the law people should be taken into confidence for initiating any project. Don’t push the project against their wish. We have to consider all this and act accordingly,” he said as the Opposition members emphasised alternate sites – away from the residential and working places – for setting up such plants.
St Cruz MLA Rudolf Fernandes pointed out to unhygienic conditions in Chimbel stating that the MRF, which is set up in the thickly populated village, has caused grave concern for the health of the residents. He alleged that garbage trucks from other places dump the waste in the village.
Cumbarjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai opined that while they need a garbage treatment plant, it should not be located in residential areas as it will have an impact on the health of the people.
