Panaji : The Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) has directed the Goa Waste Management Corporation to restart the environmental clearance process for its ambitious 250-tonne-per-day integrated solid waste management facility at Verna Industrial Estate citing expired terms of reference.
SEIAA had ruled that the Environmental Impact Assessment report prepared under the 2021 Terms of Reference cannot be considered as the guidelines have since expired.
The proposed facility, designed to handle 250 TPD of solid waste with an additional 20 per cent buffer capacity, includes a 150 TPD bio-methanation unit and 100 TPD material recovery facility, and would serve waste generated in Mormugao taluka and parts of Salcete taluka.
The authority’s decision came after reviewing representations from the Project Proponent and considering recommendations from the Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee.
Following Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change guidelines, SEIAA determined that EIA reports based on expired ToR cannot be accepted for environmental clearance proceedings.
The Verna plant will feature not just waste treatment capabilities, but also an Energy Recovery Facility where Refused Derived Fuel will be converted into energy for industrial use.
GWMC had previously engaged M/s Sadekar Enviro Engineers Pvt Ltd to complete Rapid EIA studies and had initiated the environment clearance process.
The project has faced sustained opposition from local communities across various villages in Nuvem constituency, who have raised environmental concerns about the waste treatment plant’s location on the Verna plateau.
Locals have reiterated their opposition to the proposed facility, citing environmental impact fears.
GWMC will have to apply for a fresh ToR extension through the Parivesh Portal, the ministry’s single-window environmental clearance system.
