Located on Pernem plateau in an area admeasuring around 8,000 square metres, the garbage treatment plant, which witnessed two foundation stone laying ceremonies, has been stuck in the muck.
The first foundation stone for the project was laid in 2013 followed by another in June 2016.
The Goa State Urban Development Agency and Pernem Municipal Council entered into an agreement with M K Aromatics Ltd, a Tamil Nadu- based company to set up the garbage treatment plant & run the same on revenue sharing basis.
It is learnt from sources that Pernem Municipal Council appears not interested in commencing the plant and the company was to appoint laborers and workers to start with the work but have failed in their efforts. Currently, there are only two security guards at the plant.
When Herald visited the site, it was found that the municipality has dumped tonnes of non-segregated garbage at the site. Around two tonnes of garbage is being dumped on regular basis and around 5 tonnes is being collected on the weekly market day.
The reason to having the plant was to treat plastic waste and convert the same into fuel. The plant has two units, one – an organic waste composter for wet waste and a shedding machine for dry and plastic waste. The plant has the required machinery but is yet to get the staff to make it operational.
This project is located as per the conditions laid by the company. The conditions include that the same should be located away from residential areas, schools, colleges and hospitals.
The project had received authorization from Goa State Pollution Control Board but the Pernem Municipal Council is yet to sign the memorandum of understanding with the MK Aromatics Ltd.
Once the plant starts functioning, then it will treat 10 tonnes of garbage daily and will provide 7 tonnes of furnace oil, 3 tonnes of met coke and 500 kg wax.
Pernem only receives 2 tonnes of garbage on a regular basis, it was also decided that the municipality will collect garbage from neighboring villages such as Morjim, Mandrem and others.
The people of Pernem had high expectations that the plant would help rid the garbage which seem to have fallen flat.
At present, the garbage affected areas in Pernem include Dhargal-Patradevi stretch of NH17 and its coastal belt. The panchayats in the taluka send the collected garbage to the Saligao treatment plant but the commissioning of this plant would have solved the garbage problem in the taluka.
When contacted, Pernem Municipal Council Chief Officer, Gautami Parmekar said, “We have already entered into an agreement with MK Aromatics but the MoU is not yet signed. The MOU which is ready will be discussed at the next council meeting. In the next two months the plant will commence operations”.
