Garbage problem in Goa

PANJIM: With the municipal councils and corporation failing to comply with the order of High Court of Bombay at Goa, which directed them to commission the landfill sites in 14 municipal areas in a scientific manner and in accordance with Municipal Solid Waste Rules by October.

This was brought to the notice of the Court by Amicus curiae Norma Alvares, to which the Court observed that there appears to be a total failure on the part of the administration. With no solution to Goa's garbage woes, has asked the Advocate General Subodh Kantak to hold a meeting of the counsels of the various municipal corporation and councils.

The Division bench of Justice FI Rebello and Justice NA Britto suggested this after considering varied positions of the councils and corporation, which revealed that except for Mapusa and Panjim, which has sent their proposal to the government, all other proposals were pending either on account of public opposition or opposition of panchayat or rejection of the permission from Goa State Pollution Control Board.

While the Chief Officer of Mormugao Municipal Council stated that they have already set up a waste treatment plant at Sada, Vasco for composting of municipal waste through microbial composting method, Chief Officer of Bicholim Municipal Council submitted that they have identified a landfill site at Bordem, Bicholim, where they intend to set up a composting plant and the government has initiated land acquisition proceedings in respect of the said land.

While Deputy Collector of Ponda stated that they have identified land at Keriyan, Khandepar village but waiting for construction license from Curti Khandepar panchayat, the Chief Officer of Mapusa Municipal Council said that they have selected a site at Cuchelim village, which has got all necessary permissions and now the North Goa Collector has started the land acquisition process. On the other hand, the Chief Officer of Cuncolim Municipal Council informed that the people of Ambaulim village, where the garbage treatment plant was to be set up, were opposing it and now the Council has identified a new site for treatment and disposal of solid waste in Cuncolim village.

Even the case of Panjim is no different. AG informed the Court that land acquisition at Bainguinim has been kept on hold due to people's opposition. Then the Court wanted to know from the counsel for Corporation of City of Panaji as to why they are trying to set up a landfill site in Bainguinim when the committee appointed by the Court did not suggest the site at Bainguinim.

The Court has asked the government to see immediate action is taken to set up garbage treatment plant and the emergency clause of Land Acquisition Act is made applicable for the same.