The Goa Waste Management Corporation on Saturday initiated the removal of hazardous waste from the Cuncolim industrial estate, marking the beginning of a phased operation to clear over 50,000 tonnes of legacy material that had accumulated over nearly two decades.
Background of the waste
The waste was left behind by Sunrise Zinc Ltd, which ceased operations in 2007 following directions from the high court. The hazardous material will be transported to the facility at Pissurlem for processing and disposal. The entire exercise, costing Rs 13 crore, will be carried out in two stages: before and after the monsoon.
Chief minister’s assurance
Chief minister Pramod Sawant had announced that the exercise would begin from May 1 during his visit to Cuncolim last month. He drew a parallel with the clearing of legacy municipal solid waste at Sonsoddo, stating, “It’s a legacy waste that I am cleaning up, as I did at Sonsoddo.”
Local leader’s response
Cuncolim MLA and leader of the opposition Yuri Alemao, who had been persistently pressing for the clearance through assembly sessions, described Saturday’s start as an emotional milestone. “People have suffered health issues due to the pollution caused by this waste. This was the black spot,” Alemao said.
He emphasized that the operation was only a first step and vowed not to allow any new fish meal plants or other red-category industries to set up in the Cuncolim estate. “Pollution industries are a curse to Cuncolim. This industrial estate is not benefiting the people of Cuncolim. We will never allow fish meal plants in Cuncolim,” he added.
Future restrictions
The chief minister also assured that no red-category industry would be permitted at the Cuncolim industrial estate, reinforcing the commitment to prevent further environmental damage in the region.
