Saligao (Goa): Newly-formed Goa State Waste Management Corporation (GSWMC) has decided to collect accurate data about the garbage generation and segregation across the state, a senior official said today.

The corporation which was recently formed is headed by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who has announced in the budget 2017-18 that the state would be free from garbage by 2020.

“The first task before the corporation would be to compile accurate data about the quantum of garbage generated in the state and how it is segregated at present,” a senior GSWMC official said.

The State government is currently deprived of any accurate data as multiple agencies including municipalities and panchayats are involved in the work.

“The corporation will first collect the data before starting to collect the garbage on pilot basis from few panchayats,” he said.

The corporation is functioning from state’s lone waste treatment facility located at Saligao near here and operated by private firm Hindustan Waste Treatment Private Limited (HWTPL).

The plant is currently treating more than 100 tons of garbage collected from different panchayats in North Goa’s coastal belt.

GSWMC official said that henceforth all the issues related to garbage including its treatment would be handled by the corporation.

During the recently held meeting of GSWMC, it was decided that the first step to make Goa garbage free would be to ban the use of plastic bags below thickness of 40 microns.

‘Those carrying or using plastic bags below 40 microns would be heavily fined,” it was decided.

Team TNV