Goa authorities have directed a private company at the Canacona industrial estate to submit a comprehensive plan for treating and scientifically disposing of molasses after a review found that its temporary arrangements were inadequate.
The directive followed a meeting chaired by Kushavati district deputy collector Bhiku Gawas. The meeting was attended by the deputy collector and sub-divisional magistrate of Canacona, the Canacona police inspector, a representative of the company, and officials from the Goa State Pollution Control Board and the Goa Industrial Development Corporation.
Officials focused on strengthening containment and safety measures at the company’s storage area. They called for the tanks holding the molasses to be properly covered to prevent exposure, along with adequate fencing around the site. Effective containment arrangements were also discussed to prevent any leakage or spread of the material.
The authorities asked the company to prepare an action plan covering the treatment and disposal process. The plan is expected to address how the molasses will be handled, treated and removed from the industrial estate, rather than relying on temporary storage arrangements that officials considered insufficient.
Several scientific treatment and disposal options were discussed during the meeting, including solar drying and the use of evaporators. The choice of method will need to account for the characteristics of the material, the available infrastructure and the safe handling of waste generated during treatment.
Officials also examined the practical difficulties involved in transporting and disposing of contaminated waste that may be produced as part of the treatment process. This issue is significant because treatment does not necessarily eliminate the need for further handling; residual or contaminated material may still require controlled transport and disposal.
The involvement of the Goa State Pollution Control Board places the matter within the state’s environmental oversight framework, while the participation of the Goa Industrial Development Corporation reflects the role of the industrial estate’s administrative authorities. The presence of local revenue and police officials also indicates that the review addressed site-level safety and enforcement concerns.
The immediate issue is the gap between temporary containment and a complete waste-management system. Covering tanks, fencing the storage area and preventing leakage are short-term safeguards, while the proposed action plan is intended to establish a treatment and disposal process. The company’s submission will determine how the authorities assess the proposed arrangements and the next steps at the Canacona industrial estate.
