Team Herald
PANJIM: Congress has threatened to take to streets alongwith the locals to shut down the functioning of the Waste Treatment Plant atop the Saligao plateau if the government does not withdraw the consent for expansion of the plant.
Addressing the media in Panjim at the Congress House, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) spokesperson Tulio De Souza said that the government had failed to understand that the plant had failed in its operations. “Despite the fact that the plant is unable to function and treat the existing waste that is dumped at the plant, the government has sanctioned Rs 83 crore for expansion from 120 tonnes to 250 tonnes capacity,” he added.
Claiming that the German technology, on which the Saligao waste treatment plant operates, had failed to bring solution to the garbage treatment, he said, “We don’t want another Sonsoddo to happen at Saligao. Why is the government interested in making our village the garbage capital of North Goa by bringing all the garbage to Saligao? It has already failed to give solutions and neither it is economically viable.”
Recalling the statement of former chief minister late Wilfred D’Souza, Tulio said that a plant from Germany operating under German conditions will not work in India. He said, “We know what is suitable to our country and Goa. We should bring technology and machinery which will help in dealing with our problems.”
Meanwhile, taking a dig at the Saligao MLA and Ports Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar, Tulio questioned the priorities of the government in investing Rs 23 crore in constructing a new terminal for the Captain of Ports. He said, “While the ferry services in the State are in pathetic condition, what is the priority of the government and the minister. This tower will not provide any facilities to the Goans. One wonders if the priority is the casinos as the tower will facilitate those visiting the casino.”
