SGPDA market waste brunt even as composting unit lies idle

SGPDA market waste brunt even as composting unit lies idle
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JAN 23
The Margao Municipal Council and the South Goa Planning and Development Authority once again have been caught on the wrong foot in dealing with the waste generated in the PDA market.
While the civic body’s composting unit is awaiting market waste for treatment, neither the civic body nor the PDA has initiated any steps towards operating the composting unit.
Instead, tons of waste generated in the market is being disposed off by burning, although the civic body has claimed lifting of market waste on a daily basis as per the agreement.
Market vendors in the know claimed that disposal of waste by burning is a routine phenomenon in the market complex. They pointed out that it is not uncommon to find unscrupulous elements setting waste afire for want to time-to-time disposal by the civic body.
Incidentally, what has surprised many a vendor is the failure of the authorities in putting the composting unit to use. Questions are raised in market circles why the PDA has not put the unit to use if the Margao civic body has abandoned the project for want of manpower and infrastructure. PDA officials, however, said that the body is not equipped with the required infrastructure to deal with waste and garbage. An official said the primary responsibility of the PDA is to look after the planning and development needs of the city, adding that garbage collection and disposal is the domain of the local civic body.