Old Goa VP firm in opposing garbage plant at Bainguinim

TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
OLD GOA: The State government may have revived its plans to set up the Garbage Treatment Plant (GTP) at Bainguinim, but the Old Goa Panchayat is in no mood to allow the treatment of garbage in the vicinity of world-famous sites.
The proposal is now with the Directorate of Panchayats as the Old Goa Panchayat has reiterated its opposition to the proposed GTP.
“We the panchayat members along with the locals have already passed a Gram Sabha resolution not to allow any garbage treatment plant at Bainguinim, as it will threaten the world heritage site at Old Goa,” said Old Goa Sarpanch Vishal Volvoikar.
“Since we have objected to the proposed GTP, the file pertaining to construction licences is still lying in the office of the Directorate of Panchayats,” he said.
Incidentally, North Goa MP Shripad Naik and local MLA Pandurang Madkaikar have also voiced their opposition to the proposed GTP.
“Locals and people from surrounding areas in and around Old Goa have been opposing this project at Bainguinim and we also feel that such a project should not come up close to a world heritage site. I feel the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) and the State government should consider some other site instead. But we also understand the need to resolve the garbage issue,” Naik had recently stated.
Madkaikar said the CCP was fully aware of the opposition to its proposed project.
“Being the local MLA, I have opposed the setting up of this GTP at Bainguinim. The CCP is aware of public opposition and should not test the patience of the locals,” said Madkaikar.
It may be recalled that the State government had initiated plans to set up 100 tonnes garbage treatment plant at Bainguinim.