MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) is making strides towards reactivating the 5 TPD (Tonnes Per Day) biomethanation plant located at the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) market, following clearances from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and instructions from the Public Works Department (PWD). However, the council plans to inform the High Court about these recent developments regarding the plant.
Gaurish Sankhwalkar, Chief Officer of the MMC, revealed that the council is on the verge of restarting the waste treatment plant at SGPDA. He explained that the High Court had issued directives concerning the plant, particularly addressing pollution concerns arising from the discharge of wastewater into open fields without consent. Furthermore, there was a lack of mechanisms for the disposal of leachate, further complicating the matter.
Sankhwalkar stated that the GSPCB has granted consent to operate the plant, and the PWD has provided authorisation for the disposal of leachate at the Shirvodem waste treatment plant. The MMC is proceeding cautiously to address these issues systematically. The immediate focus is on restarting the 5 TPD plant, with plans to seek government permission for the construction of a 15 to 20 TPD plant at the Sonsoddo, as suggested by Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate.
Setting up the Sonsoddo plant is estimated to take 18 to 20 months. “We are very serious that there should not be contempt of court pertaining to the 5 TPD plant at SGPDA. The civic body will be taking a legal opinion before starting the plant,” said Sankhwalkar.
He also highlighted the financial implications associated with the 15 TPD plant at Sonsoddo, emphasising the need for careful decision-making. Additionally, he mentioned that work on this facility has already begun, with an estimated cost of around Rs 17 crore.
The CO said that MMC will make arrangements to handle its wet waste even if the capacity of the Cacora plant is exceeded. Currently, approximately 30 tonnes of wet waste from Margao are directed to the Cacora plant each day.
