Residents and local representatives in Saligao, Pilerne, and Calangute have issued a warning to authorities over the growing misuse of the Saligao waste treatment plant. They allege that garbage from multiple talukas is being dumped at the facility, which was originally meant for Bardez. Mounting complaints about foul odour and overcapacity have led to threats of public blockade if action is not taken.
The waste treatment facility in Saligao is once again under scrutiny as residents claim it is being overwhelmed by garbage transported from areas beyond its intended coverage. Originally designed to manage waste from Bardez and coastal zones, the plant now reportedly receives waste from distant talukas like Ponda and Margao. Locals assert that this overload is the cause of unbearable odour and growing environmental discomfort in nearby villages.
Community leaders have demanded decentralisation of garbage management across Goa, urging that each taluka should process its own waste locally. They argue that the consent given for the plant was conditional on it servicing only nearby areas. With rising volumes and foul smells making daily life increasingly difficult, residents feel betrayed by authorities who they believe have failed to uphold original commitments about the plant’s operational limits.
A delegation of panchayat members and local representatives recently met with senior officials from the state’s waste management corporation. During the meeting, a memorandum was submitted demanding urgent action to curb the stench and regulate the source of waste being processed at Saligao. Residents have issued a 10-day ultimatum, threatening to physically block garbage trucks from other talukas if no resolution is reached.
Locals claim that the plant’s increased capacity — expanded to 300 tonnes — was meant solely to serve the Bardez region, not the entire state. The uncontrolled flow of waste, they argue, not only violates the agreed purpose of the facility but also poses serious environmental and health hazards. The community is calling for accountability and immediate intervention to prevent an escalation of protests in the affected villages.
As frustration mounts in Saligao and surrounding areas, residents are demanding that the plant serve only its intended region. With complaints of odour and overburdened capacity, the issue has become both a public health and governance concern. Unless decentralised waste solutions are implemented swiftly, locals may resort to direct action, signalling a breakdown in public trust and highlighting the urgent need for sustainable waste management across Goa.
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