MARGAO
There is finally a ray of hope that the SGPDA mega retail market will soon be connected to the Margao underground sewage network, thanks to High Court’s directions.
Although the Sewage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) had already laid the underground sewer line in the market area, the project remained non-operational due to the lack of a three-phase power connection required to run the pumping stations.
SIDCGL officials had earlier informed the High Court that repeated requests were made to the SGPDA to provide the necessary three-phase connection, but no action was taken.
However, following directions from the High Court, the SGPDA has now submitted that an existing electrical connection with sufficient load capacity is available to support the Corporation’s pumping station. The planning body further assured the Court that it would extend a power connection from its meter to the pumping station within one week to facilitate smooth operations.
Taking note of the submission, the High Court observed, “We expect that the pumping station within the premises of SGPDA should be fully functional within the stipulated timeframe and that the connection from the SGPDA market to the main sewage line should be fully operational within this period.”
Meanwhile, petitioner in the Salpem Lake contamination Public Interest Litigation, Antonio Alvares, criticised the pace of implementation by the authorities. He remarked that agencies have failed to act proactively and have moved only in response to court directives.
“Only because of the High Court’s intervention in the PIL are the agencies showing some movement, though at a snail’s pace. We hope the authorities implement the Court’s directions in both letter and spirit to save Salpem Lake and the River Sal from further damage caused by sewage discharge,” Alvares said.
