Goa, M'shtra to jointly set up waste diposal plants

Goa and Maharshtra will join hands in setting up hazardous waste disposal plants at two different sites identified in southern Maharashtra.

"Though the agreement between both the state governments is yet to be signed, the draft agreement which allows trans-border movement of hazardous waste from Goa to Maharashtra is in place," stated I U Joshi, chairman, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).

As per the initial agreement, the landfill would be made at Mahad and incinerator would be installed in Taleja village of Raigad district "�both in Maharashtra, Joshi disclosed.

This will be a common treatment facility. "Goa generates 9,972 metric tonne of hazardous waste per annum while southern Maharashtra produces 1.35 lakh metric tonne of hazardous waste per annum," he added.

Of the total waste, 6,344 metric tonne (Goa) and 87,195 metric tonne (southern Maharashtra) would be dumped in the secured landfills while 1,259 metric tonne (Goa) and 26,685 metric tonne (southern Maharashtra) would be incinerated.

"Goa's Deputy Chief Minister Wilfred D'souza and Maharashtra's Environment Minister Ganesh Naik will meet to sign the formal agreement soon," Joshi stated.

"Goa will chip in with Rs two crore from its coffers while it will get additional Rs two crore from the Centre for this project. Similar amount would be contributed by its Maharashtra counterpart," Joshi stated.

Around 203 hazardous waste generating industries located in Goa would be charged Rs 1,000 per metric tonne, he added.