CM for 2 landfill sites in Goa

In a bid to address the garbage problem in the state, chief minister Digambar Kamat has asked the director of the science and technology
department to identify two landfill sites, one each for the state’s two districts

Director of science and technology Michael D’Souza said the sites will be scientifically located.

Incidentally, the central municipal solid waste (MSW) rules have set strict guidelines for landfill sites. For instance, they should not be located near human habitation, airports, water tables or streams. Combining the guidelines of the MSW rules and the remote sensing data obtained from satellite pictures, the department will identify sites in Goa. The exact location will be finalized after site inspections. Although no official deadline has been set, D’Souza said the chief minister wants the exercise completed at the earliest.

Kamat’s directions came after he witnessed the presentations of two companies involving the setting up of a garbage treatment plant at Sonsoddo. Besides Kamat, urban development minister Joaquim Alemao and Margao Municipal Council chairperson Savio Coutinho also attended the presentations. The two bidders were Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd, Hyderabad, and Fomento and IL&FS, Margao.

The presentations were preceded by seeking detailed clarifications from representatives of both the bidders by P U Asnani, the consultant appointed by the committee for the evaluation of bids.

Asnani sought detailed explanations from both bidders, taking into account the ground realities as they exist at Sonsoddo. He will give his detailed report of the bids, after which the committee will decide to whom the tender should be issued. He also emphasized the need to have two landfill sites for both, North and South Goa.