CACORA: Even as the authorities at Sonsoddo have begun transporting around 30 tonnes of garbage to the Saligao Waste Management facility in a bid to make a dent in the thousands of tonnes of untreated waste accumulated in the legacy landfill, it has come to light that the new waste treatment plant at Cacora, Curchorem is operating far below its full capacity. While the plant is designed to treat 100 tonnes of garbage per day, it has been processing only 15 tonnes daily, according to government officials who inspected the plant recently.
Located only 18 kilometres away from Margao, the commercial capital of the State, the Cacora plant is expected to play a significant role in waste management. It is particularly relevant as the Sonsoddo garbage plant sends its waste to Saligao, which is 44 kilometers away from Margao, for treatment. Although the plant commenced its operations eight months ago, it is yet to undergo an official inauguration. This has raised questions regarding the delay in its formal launch.
The contractor responsible for the plant’s operations is now facing a contentious situation, as the payment was based on the commitment to process 100 tonnes of garbage daily. However, project documents indicate that only 15 tonnes of waste were treated, leading to discrepancies in compensation.
The project’s supposed inauguration by the Prime Minister is still pending, while it has already been operational for the past nine months.
Surprisingly, the possibility of utilising the Cacora plant to treat excess the garbage from Salcete has not been officially considered. Sources said that the residents of Curchorem have echoed the sentiments of the villagers of Saligao, and have voiced strong opposition to bringing waste from Salcete to the Cacora facility.
