MARGAO: The transportation of 20 metric tonnes (MT) of wet waste from the Margao Municipal area to the Cacora Solid Waste Management Plant, mandated by the High Court, has yet to commence for the past two days. This delay has left waste management in Margao in a state of uncertainty.
Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral’s stance on the matter is eagerly anticipated, especially in light of his previous statements that garbage from Salcete taluka, including waste generated within the jurisdiction of the Margao Municipal Council, would be accepted at the Cacora plant.
The recent directive from the High Court instructed the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) to begin transporting 20 MT of wet waste from Margao’s municipal area to the Cacora plant daily, with the treatment set to commence from September 1. However, the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) is responsible for covering the transportation costs. The Court also encouraged the State government to consider an official inauguration of the newly constructed, state-of-the-art Cacora Solid Waste Management Plant. The Cacora facility has a capacity to treat 100 tonnes per day (TPD), encompassing 40 TPD of dry waste and 60 TPD of wet waste.
Damodar Shirodker, the Chairperson of the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), explained that they are awaiting transportation arrangements from the GWMC to enable the daily movement of 20 MT of wet waste to the Cacora plant. He stated that the MMC plans to clear the waste currently dumped within the old treatment plant at Sonsoddo, adding that the baling of dry waste is already in progress. Shirodkar assured that the High Court’s orders would be fully implemented, as the civic body is eager to resolve the garbage issue that has adversely affected the general public.
All attention now shifts to Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral and his stance on the matter. He has previously asserted that waste from the four talukas of Sanguem, Quepem, Dharbandora, and Canacona would not be accepted at the Cacora plant. He believes that the MMC should propose a waste treatment plant similar to the ones in Saligao or Cacora. Cabral remained unavailable for comment when O Heraldo contacted him, seeking clarification on his position.
