The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) is making significant strides towards a sustainable waste management future, with its much-anticipated gasification plant at Sonsoddo slated for commissioning on Republic Day 2026. This advanced facility represents a major shift from traditional landfill methods to a technology-driven solution for the city's persistent garbage challenges.
Project Timeline and Final Stages of Work
Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar confirmed that the installation work for the plant has entered its final phase and is nearing completion. The official target for the plant's inauguration is January 26, 2026, contingent upon receiving the necessary approvals from the Goa State Pollution Control Board. Once the physical installation is finished, the council will conduct thorough trial runs to ensure all systems are operational before the formal commissioning.
Investment, Capacity, and Operational Details
The MMC has invested heavily in this pioneering project. The capital expenditure for the 10-tonne-per-day (TPD) capacity plant stands at Rs 3.7 crore. An additional contract worth Rs 3.5 crore has been allocated to Pune-based GD Environmental Pvt Ltd for five years of operation and maintenance, bringing the total project cost to over Rs 7.2 crore.
Key features of the facility include:
- A live monitoring system to track emission levels in real-time, ensuring transparency regarding the plant's environmental impact.
- Advanced technology that converts processed waste into fly ash, which can be used in brick manufacturing, promoting a circular economy.
- Initial operation as a pilot project, with plans for capacity expansion based on its success.
Addressing Margao's Waste Management Crisis
The new plant is a critical intervention for Margao, which currently generates between 35 to 40 tonnes of wet waste daily. This volume far exceeds the pilot plant's initial 10 TPD capacity, highlighting the scale of the problem. Currently, all of Margao's wet waste is transported to the Cacora garbage treatment plant.
Furthermore, the town grapples with several black spots that contribute approximately 5 tonnes of mixed waste every day. Officials believe the gasification plant will provide a long-term, scientific answer to these enduring waste management issues. The project is backed by a tripartite agreement signed in November 2025 between the MMC, the Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA), and the contractor, GD Environmental Pvt Ltd.
This initiative marks a decisive move away from landfill-dependent disposal, aiming to set a new standard for urban waste treatment in Goa while tackling the local garbage crisis head-on.
