Sonsoddo bomb ticking… residents living in fear

MARGAO: The residents have raised apprehensions over the delay in streamlining the operations at Sonsoddo plant with regards to the accumulated garbage in the shed and the daily wet waste delivered to the plant, which they feel could lead to a major disaster in future. 

Herald visit to the plant revealed the pathetic conditions at Sonsoddo, where nearly 50 tonnes of additional garbage accumulated on a daily basis could result in another fire incident any moment. 

There is no space left inside the plant for additional waste, as the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) is trying to squeeze in the garbage to all corners to create more place. However, it appears that within a few days, even the machinery will not be able to move in. 

Herald met some locals residing nearby the dump yard who fear that a disaster could occur any moment, if no serious steps are taken to resolve the issue. People feel that the entire process may go haywire if no bidder comes forward to take up waste treatment at Sonsoddo.

Rohan Nayak from Gogol said he is aware of the Sonsoddo issue since childhood which has still remained the same. “We fear a major disaster could occur any moment, like the fire incident at Sonsoddo, which created havoc in the area”, he stated. 

The present situation at the plant is scary and a major disaster can occur any moment. 

Curtorim resident Xavier Fernandes accused the concerned authorities of failing to resolve the issue for the past several decades. 

“Why the people should suffer due to the failure of the authorities? Why is the government not showing seriousness in resolving the issue permanently,” he asked. 

It may be recalled that recently Savio Coutinho from Margao had challenged the Margao Municipal Council to streamline the operations at Sonsoddo plant within six months. 

“This is nothing but a sincere bid to instigate the Margao Municipal Council to get into action instead of making periodic announcements without results”, said Savio. 

He said it is disgusting to note that a whopping Rs 4.50 crore (from May 20 to July 21 @ Rs 30 lakh per month) were spent on contractors/workers for segregated waste collection.  And finally what we find at the plant is unprocessed mixed waste.  

“We apprehend that this is deliberately done to give additional work to the bio-remediation contractor, at the cost of public funds”, Savio alleged. 

MMC chairperson Lyndon Pereira said his council is very much serious on the issue and is trying hard to resolve it. 

“The proposal to float the expression of interest is not yet approved by the Directorate of Municipal Administration”, he said. 

He admitted to the space constraints at Sonsoddo plant. 

“Recently we managed to create more space inside the plant by pushing the existing dump and will have no problem for the next 30 days”, he said. 

But the question is… what happens after 30 days? The chairperson opined that till then they are expecting the approval and floating of expression of interest to rope in private contractors to take over the plant maintenance. 

It is pertinent to note that even after spending over Rs 30 lakh per month on contractors/workers for segregated waste collection; the plant still has unprocessed mixed state in massive quantity.