PORVORIM: Asserting that clearing the Sonsoddo garbage dump is a priority, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday told the State Legislative Assembly that Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) will adopt remediation method for treating and disposing the dump from October.
The House witnessed a healthy discussion on the contentious issue of the Sonsoddo garbage dump, where approximately 2.3 lakh cubic metres of untreated waste has been accumulated. The opposition benches urged the government to find a permanent solution to clear the dump, which has become a major nuisance, with public health at risk.
The discussion took place during the calling attention motion moved by Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, who brought to the notice of the members that the High Powered Coordination Committee (HPCC) had proposed capping of the dump by undertaking remediation to treat it. He also slammed the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) report that stated the air quality at Sonsoddo is within permissible limit and there is no fear for anyone as far as air pollution is concerned.
The Congress MLA demanded that government undertake a detailed study to understand the contamination of the ground water due to the Sonsoddo garbage dump.
Replying to the motion, the Chief Minister said GWMC will adopt the remediation process to treat and dispose the waste that has accumulated over long period from October onwards. “We will not touch the dump now during rainy season. Once the monsoon ends, from October we will undertake remediation and other measures to clear the dump,” he said.
Sawant also said that directions will be issued to GWMC and Margao Municipal Council (MMC) to identify sheds in industrial estates to dump the solid waste and bail it. “Also, the dry waste, which is now being segregated at source, can be treated at the Sonsoddo treatment plant,” he said.
Pointing to the Fomento’s demand of termination and payment of Rs 13 lakh as their dues, Sawant said that the garbage treatment plant, run by the company, was operational illegally without consent from any authority and that they have no record on total quantity of waste treated and manure produced.
Earlier speaking Urban Development Minister Milind Naik said GWMC is in process of finalising the tender document and within a few months, the work order would be issued.
“Government is always cautious about sensitive issues that can affect health and wellbeing of Goans and that is a primary responsibility,” he said.
Participating in the discussion, Goa Forward Party (GFP) MLA Vijai Sardesai suggested that government adopt technology that has been implemented in Gujarat. “Pre-fabricated, pre-engineered contemporised solid waste processing plant costs Rs 2 crore and treats 10 tonnes of mixed waste daily. Government can consider the facility and set up three-four plants,” he proposed, adding that the CNG produced out of it can be used to run government vehicles.
Sardesai also informed the House about the ten black spots identified in Margao, where mixed waste is been dumped and sought to know government action plan to handle it. MLAs Digambar Kamat, Churchill Alemao, Luizinho Faleiro and Ramakrishna Dhavalikar also spoke on the issue.
