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THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA: A lot of water has flowed under the Tar Bridge since work on the sewerage project was kick-started in Mapusa and the coastal village of Calangute-Baga.
Although most of the infra works have been completed, there is suspense on why the government is unable to move forward with the project.
Citizens made a lot of sacrifices when the sewerage pipeline was being laid in the middle of the roads in Mapusa and Calangute. From uneven roads to dust pollution, local residents faced the brunt.
The PWD had contracted the job to lay the sewerage network to Simplex Infrastructures Ltd in 2012 and work was started in April 2013. As per contract, Simplex was scheduled to complete the project in September 2015.
Six years down the line and after missing several deadlines, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funded project seems to be heading nowhere.
When the plan was finalized, the total cost of the project was pegged at Rs 152.72 crore.
With a total of 1,429 manholes and 1,450 inspection chambers in place, the sewerage network of 38.30 km in length has been completed in Mapusa. The Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) at Camarkhazan, Mapusa has also been completed in all respects.
Similarly, 1,060 manholes and 1,200 inspection chambers have been completed along the 30.96 km sewerage pipeline in Calangute-Baga. The Baga STP is also ready but work to set up two intermediate sewage pumping stations is yet to be completed.
Several PWD officials attached to the JICA sponsored sewerage project were tight-lipped over completion and commissioning of the project.
PWD Chief Engineer and Project Director for JICA, Umesh Kulkarni informed that 99% of the sewerage project was completed in Bardez.
“Only two pumping stations have to be set up in Calangute. Once we complete the work in totality, we will hand it over to the sewerage corporation,” Kulkarni said.
Questioning the delay and silence over the sewerage project, locals said the government had to look into the quality of the work undertaken by the contractors.
“It’s time to evaluate the quality of work and delay in commissioning the project. The chief minister should take up the matter on urgent basis and question the contractors and the engineers,” said Adv Mahesh Rane, a resident of Khorlim.
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Fund crunch holding back sewerage project?
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THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA: Has delay in making payment to Simplex Infrastructures Ltd come in the way of completing the sewerage project?
Sources informed that company officials of Simplex were directed to go slow, as around Rs 20 crore was outstanding with the Goa government.
Simplex officials disclosed that last payment received by the company was in February 2019 for works undertaken in May 2018. PWD officials remained mum on whether financial constraints had impacted the speed of work on the sewerage project.
