Over 2 months & half, measures mooted by high-ranking officials still remain confined to papers
MARGAO
Is solid waste management and Sonsodo not on the priority list of the Margao Municipal Council? It does not seem so if one takes a look at the way things are moving at a snail’s pace, with decisions and resolutions taking months for their implementation and execution.
The unmotorable condition of the Sonsodo road that paralysed waste disposal for a day and half for want of timely repairs and reconstruction of the road, is just a tip of the iceberg. A host of issues plaguing Sonsodo still remains unresolved for reasons best known to the civic babus and the rulers.
Otherwise, consider this: After a virtual meeting between the Urban Development Secretary, Director of Municipal Administration (DMA), Goa Waste Management Member Secretary at the fag end of March last on issues plaguing Sonsodo, outgoing Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes had issued a memorandum to the Municipal Engineer, with copy to the Municipal Chairperson on April 1 last, for implementation of a host of measures, with directions to comply with the measures by April 15.
Two-months and half down the lane, the measures mooted by the high-ranking officials still remain confined to the papers. Amongst the measures, suggested in the memorandum issued by the ex-chief officer, include repairs of the side roads leading to the solid waste treatment plant shed, for smooth plying of vehicles. The ground reality has not changed for the better as was evident by the fact trucks could not ply on the side roads for want of repairs, resulting in garbage piling up across the city.
The Goan takes a close look at the measures suggested by the high-ranking government officials and the ground reality.
Repairs for waste treatment plant shed
The high-ranking officials were clear in its directions that the roof of the existing wet waste shed needs to be repaired. The shed was left damaged by winds months ago. The ground reality remains unchanged. For want of repairs to the roof, there’s been seepage of rainwater inside the shed, with workers complaining of water logging and sludge all around the shed. Municipal garbage drivers and workers have complained of slippery conditions inside the plant shed.
Maintenance of machinery inside the plant
With the Goa Waste Management Corporation agreeing to take up the work of carting out the piled up 14,000 metric tonnes of waste inside the plant, the high-level panel had recommended to the civic body to repair the existing machinery including overhead DMAG crane, grabber crane and screening trammels, preferably through the original equipment manufacturer and put in place periodic maintenance contract. Sadly, the machinery inside the plant remains as it is without any repairs and maintenance. Officials wonder how the civic body will handle the daily wet waste dumped into the plant.
Power connections
After the raging fire left behind a trail of destruction at Sonsodo over three and half months ago, bringing baling of dry waste and other operations to a halt, the high-level panel had called for early restoration of power. Inquiries have revealed the temporary connection has come only last week, while the fate of the permanent connection to Sonsodo remains unknown.
Fire mechanism
Sonsodo site has been prone to raging fires over the years. Fire incidents had been a routine affair inside the plant and outside. The high-level panel had issued directions to the MMC to install fire extinguishers and train the Municipal workers handling solid waste management at Sonsodo. Further directions were issued to go for a water tank with necessary motors with provision for hose pipes. The fire extinguishers are still to fall in place. Inquiries by The Goan revealed that an agency was roped in by the civic body, but no agreement could be inked with the contractor till date. No fire-fighting training has been imparted to the workers till date.
Dedicated engineer at Sonsodo
The high-level panel had called for deployment of dedicated municipal engineers at Sonsodo for smooth flow of operation of waste treatment. Sources say no engineer is interested to take up the work of monitoring of the Sonsodo plant and incidental issues connected with solid waste management.
Bio-methanation plant
The high-level panel has called upon the MMC to carry out performance evaluation of the bio-digester installed at the SGPDA through Goa State Pollution Control Board. The Board is yet to carry out the evaluation for want of follow up by the civic body. Even as the Board is yet to take up the work of undertaking performance evaluation, questions are being raised whether the civic body has tapped the power generated by the plant and connected the plant to the grid.
