NT Reporter
Margao
Chief officer of the Margao municipal council (MMC) Madhu Narvekar on Friday said that efforts are on to establish the much-needed waste treatment facility at Sonsoddo by the end of December, with the support of the government and councillors.
The Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA), a government-affiliated entity, has consented to operationalise a 10-tonne gasification plant for treating mixed solid waste at Sonsoddo, Margao, following the MMC’s approval granted in July this year.
A Pune-based firm was selected through a competitive tender process to design, supply, install, and operate the plant at an estimated cost of Rs 7 crore.
Gasification technology converts carbon-based materials, such as waste, wood, or coal, into a combustible mixture of gases called syngas (or producer gas) at high temperatures and controlled oxygen levels. This facility is adjustable into the existing Sonsoddo shed, which has remained largely vacant for over a year.
“We are progressing on fast track. The administrative processes for the project have been completed. The GEDA has issued the work order to the Pune-based company.
Work is expected to commence at the Sonsoddo site by October, and if all goes according to plan, we will establish and initiate operations of this 10-tonne gasification plant by the end of December,” the chief officer said.
He further said that a team of 20 people, including councillors and MMC officials, will travel to Pune on September 26 to inspect a similar operational plant.
“In response to requests from several councillors, we have agreed to revisit the facility. The group of 20 people will apprise themselves of the plant’s functionality so as to address any apprehensions or doubts regarding its operation,” Narvekar elaborated.
This initiative, however, brings forth the fact that the municipality has nixed an earlier proposal.
The proposal was for a 15-tonne biomethanation plant at Sonsoddo, reportedly due to the inadequate operational performance of a similar facility established by the municipality at the SGPDA-owned retail market in Fatorda.
The fast-tracking of the proposed 10-tonne gasification plant is imperative, considering that municipal elections are scheduled for early next year.
The ruling council has faced considerable criticism for its one-way focus on the transportation of daily collected waste to the Curchorem-Cacora plant.
The civic body has even procured two new leak-proof trucks to ensure the safe transportation of wet waste to the Curchorem-Cacora facility.
Citizens of Margao and Fatorda have also urged the municipality to give a push to the establishment of the waste treatment plant.
