TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: Calangute MLA Michael Lobo took stock of the construction works of the garbage treatment plant at Calangute plateau in view of the petition filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by NGOs fearing a disaster for Saligao.
The work on the plant, he saw, was progressing quickly, and structures of different blocks were being readied. He appealed to the NGOs to withdraw their petition as the state-of-the-art treatment plant would eliminate the garbage issues of Calangute and its surrounding areas.
“I came to oversee the construction works of the state-of-the-art garbage treatment plant at Calangute plateau entrusted to SMC Infrastructure, which is being designed, built and will be operated by them. I am happy that the work on the project is going at a fast pace and, hopefully, the sheds will be ready before the monsoon. The government acquired land of 1.19 sq mts and fenced the entire area to set up the plant. The machinery for the project is being imported from Germany and other countries,” said Lobo.
He continued, “Though the government laid emphasis on the prestigious project, the NGOs have approached the NGT apprehending pollution and contamination of the Salmona Spring at Saligao. In fact, the untreated garbage scattered all around would be systematically treated at the plant. Today, the situation is such that the garbage heaps have increased and are posing a threat to environment and Salmona Spring, which could be taken care of with the successful commissioning of the plant. I appeal to the NGOs to withdraw their petition and help the government in setting up the plant at the Calangute plateau.”
Lobo thanked the engineers and government officials for their interest in the project, and Advocate Atmaram Nadkarni for taking up the case with the NGT so that the work was not hampered.
Project Engineer Suhas Kulkarni said, “We are working hard to complete the garbage treatment plant that will benefit North Goa. The garbage from the villages of North Goa would be brought, segregated and systemically treated at the site. We have been given a period of two and a half years to complete the project. However, we are confident that the plant will be completed by February 2016.”
