CCP proposes to charge organisers for services provided
TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: Authorities here have admitted that the magnitude of garbage generated from mega festivals like Lok Utsav and Grape Escapade took them by surprise and assured that “serious introspection” would be done and adequate arrangements to prevent the capital city from turning into a garbage dump would be put in place even as it prepares for the four-day extravaganza to begin this weekend ~ the food festival at Caranzalem and the carnival.
But both the state Tourism Ministry and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) are unanimous that mega events which draw large crowds requires a proper system to be put in place. After a relatively successful system for waste collection during the International Film Festival (IFFI) 2012, the city grappled with the problem of garbage at two mega events namely Lok Utsav and Grape Escapade with even Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar agreeing that there was “a lapse” in the waste management system at Grape Escapade and this was being looked into very seriously.
CCP Commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues said civic authorities had no idea that the response to the Lok Utsav would be so overwhelming. “We had no idea that this event was going to be so huge, and we were not prepared. With regard to Grape Escapade also, we only managed to get the organisers to put systems in place only on the second day,” he acknowledged, arguing, “We cannot take over every event.”
He said that the CCP was now working on a system where it may have to supervise waste and disposal by charging the organisers for the services provided.
Rodrigues said that big events in the city need the co-operation of event organisers and CCP can assist in the process and that the corporation had taken over the entire garbage management for IFFI 2012 and claimed credit for setting a “benchmark” for solid waste management at events to be organised in the city whether private or government. He however assured that the food festival and carnival would see a proper system in place and cleaner environment both during and after the festivities.
According to the commissioner, the corporation is expecting the food festival at the National Institute of Water Sports ground, Caranzalem to generate at least two to three tons of waste every day.
“We are having a meeting with the event agency tomorrow and will explain to them all the nitty-gritty,” said Rodrigues.
The five day food festival being organised by the Tourism Ministry from February 8-12 is going to see the implementation of the IFFI model on waste collection and disposal The CCP also plans to work with the Art and Culture Department for its next edition of Lok Utsav for a better venue and solid waste management systems.
