TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
TIVIM: At a time when other places in the State are struggling to set up Garbage Treatment Plants (GTP) to treat their garbage, the situation is quite the opposite in Pernem where the GTP over there has been struggling to find garbage.
Believe it or not, the GTP at Pernem, which was installed in January 2013 at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore, is yet to be made operational simply because there is insufficient garbage from Pernem town and neighbouring villages for the GTP.
The GTP was installed in Pernem at a cost of Rs 2 crore and Rs 1.5 crore was spent towards purchase, beautification and development of the land.
“The GTP in Pernem is not operational till date due to less garbage in Pernem and also to non-cooperation of the nearby panchayats,” Pernem Municipal Council (PMC) Chief Officer Anil Rane told Herald.
“The neighbouring panchayats have refused to pay the PMC the amount agreed to transport the garbage,” said Rane. It also appears that Pernem town does not have sufficient garbage of its own to treat at the GTP.
“In a day, only two rickshaws filled of garbage are collected from Pernem town, which is insufficient for the GTP to operate,” a source told Herald.
“At least one truckload of garbage is needed and this is only possible if garbage is also collected from the nearby villages. In the absence of sufficient supply, garbage is presently dumped in the premises of the GTP,” informed the source.
Speaking to Herald, some residents told Herald that GTP at Pernem has been a sheer waste of funds.
“The funds could have been utilised for other developments in Pernem. Before setting up the GTP at Pernem, authorities should have first calculated the quantity of garbage needed for the plant, besides ways and means to collect the garbage,” remarked a resident.
“Machinery at the GTP has not been used and it could go out of order. Besides, the garbage dumped at the GTP could be a health hazard for the people of Pernem,” said a source.
