MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) on Saturday began covering the dump and lifting the Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) stacked at Sonsoddo.
The dry waste piled up at SGPDA market, old fish market and at the Sonsoddo had turned into an eyesore.
On Saturday, seven machines started baling waste, which will be sent to the cement plants. The tendering of three biomethanation plants is in the pipeline to ensure no more pressure is put on Sonsoddo.
MMC Chief Officer Ajit Panchwadkar said, “With two more bailing machines operating at SGPDA market, the total number of machines operational is seven, which will result in less than 40 per cent of dry waste going to Sonsoddo.”
“Soon we will be floating tenders for three biomethanation plants of 5 tpd each, which will be set up at three different locations. Our effort is to treat the waste generated at source. This will reduce pressure on Sonsoddo plant. The transportation of dry waste to Sonsoddo will stop soon. The plants have been tendered at a cost of around Rs 2.5 crore, which includes cost of operation for five years. One at SGPDA wholesale fish market and one each at fish and vegetable markets will be installed,” he informed.
The CO said, “This is the first time in the last ten years that the dump has not caught fire in the months of May and June due to the constant monitoring”.
He said not a single rupee was spent for fire on the dump since December 2019.
“MMC has saved Rs 1.15 crore since taking over from Fomento since February 20, 2020 till date. Earlier, Rs 1 lakh was paid per day to Fomento and MMC had already paid 1.89 crore till the taking over of the plant,” he said.
Informing on the process of remediation, the Chief Officer said, “Till date 1.25 lakh cubic metres of legacy dump has been remediated, which is more than 50 per cent. As soon as the RDF is lifted, a clear picture of the work done will be visible.”
