Margao: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday inaugurated a 10-tonne-per-day gasification technology-based waste treatment plant at Sonsoddo, Margao, asserting that all municipalities in the state must eventually become swayampurna (self-reliant) in managing their own waste.
Speaking at the inauguration, Sawant stated that the government and private sector together have invested over Rs 1,000 crore in waste management infrastructure in recent years, spanning hazardous waste, industrial waste, biomedical waste, sewage treatment plants (STPs), and effluent treatment plants (ETPs).
Reacting to a jibe by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, who spoke earlier at the event, Sawant acknowledged that the Margao Municipal Council may not be swayampurna in waste management at present, but emphasized that it must become so. "At least all municipalities should treat their own waste," he said, adding that waste disposal activities would eventually be brought under one roof as the government works towards a clean and green Goa "on mission mode."
The chief minister also appealed to citizens to stop littering. "People flinging waste-filled carry bags in the open or into water bodies should understand that they are harming themselves by doing so, as the stench and smell of garbage thrown outside will cause nuisance to them as well. Please stop that — hand over all that you need to throw out to the waste collectors of your panchayats and municipalities," he said.
Sardesai, meanwhile, expressed reservations about the gasification technology. "The technology used is an advanced form of incineration. It doesn't treat wet waste, but makes it dry and then burns it. The air quality index of Goa is on the decline as everywhere garbage is being burnt," Sardesai said.
What ideally should have been set up at Sonsoddo, Sardesai added, is a 15-tonne-per-day biomethanation plant, as per the high court's order in the Sonsoddo case.
Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Laurenco, Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuyekar, and South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus were among those present on the occasion.
