THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
After encountering stiff opposition from residents in Porvorim, the Sewerage & Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) has set its sight on land in Mapusa to build a 20 MLD sewage treatment plant (STP) to treat Porvorim sewage.
Surprisingly, local self-governing bodies, leaders and opinion makers of Mapusa were kept in the dark about the plan.
Work on soil testing is presently going on to construct the Porvorim STP at Kamarkazan, Mapusa in close proximity to where work on Mapusa STP is going on.
SIDCGL Deputy General Manager (engineering) Ganesh Kodlekere confirmed that the government has decided to build the plant in Mapusa after locals in Porvorim refused the setting up of the plant in their area.
“We had identified quite a few places in different areas in Porvorim to set up the STP, but everywhere locals opposed the plan. As a last resort, we decided to set up the plant at the Kadamba bus depot, Porvorim, which also faced stiff resistance,” said Ganesh Kodlekere, Dy GM, SIDCGL.
After considering all the factors, he said the corporation finally settled for the Mapusa site as it was away from the residential area.
“Since the land was already acquired and all other NOCs were obtained, we decided to build the STP in Mapusa,” Kodlekere said.
The project to be built on an area of 9,000 square metre is estimated to cost around Rs 50 crore. The work has already been tendered.
Ayyappa Infra Projects Pvt Ltd, a Hyderabad-based company is constructing the STP. The same company has constructed the 20 MLD Margao STP which is supposed to be commissioned next month.
The STP will be constructed within a period of 12 months, excluding the monsoon period.
Although the STP is coming up in land belonging to Mapusa Communidade, none of the Mapusa Communidade committee members were aware of the government plan.
“We are aware that the Mapusa STP is coming up in Kamarkazan. But I have no idea about the Porvorim STP,” said Salvador Pinto, President of Mapusa Communidade. The attorney of the communidade, Ryan Braganza was also in the dark.
Mapusa Municipal Council, Chairperson Sandip Falari was also unaware of the plan to build Porvorim STP in Mapusa.
“I don’t know about the plans to construct Porvorim STP in Mapusa,” Falari said, expressing surprise at the development.
Interestingly, an additional 8 km long pipeline will have to be laid from Porvorim to Mapusa to connect the sewerage line to the STP. This will lead to cost escalation and delay the project further.
