MARGAO
Hazard a guess when will the Sewerage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) finally complete work on the North Main sewerage line with monsoons round the corner.
This question assumed significance with fears being raised in many quarters whether the delay in the completion of the work and commissioning of the line would once again lead to the same old story of sewage water flowing into the fields and water bodies around the Fatorda area of the city.
Well, a ride down the South Goa district hospital-Distirct Collectorate road would reveal that work to lay the trunk line is still underway near the Collectorate building. In fact, a huge crane was working round the clock on the main road near the District Collectorate building assisting in the work under progress.
When The Goan called up PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral to shed light on the completion of the North Main trunk line and the commissioning of the project, the Minister said he would take a review of the North Main trunk line work with the SIDCGL officials in a day or two.
Cabral said he has already written a letter to the South Goa District Collector seeking time till May 30 to complete the ongoing sewerage works on the North main line.
Saying that the work on the North Main trunk line has not been a smooth affair, Cabral pointed out that the loose nature of the soil has caused tremendous problems for the laying of the trunk line.
“We have encountered a host of problems while executing the work of laying the North Main Trunk line along the district hospital road to the old market circle. We have successfully overcome the problems. We are now in the final stage of completing the work of the chambers at the South Goa Collectorate building and the Presentation Convent school,” he said.
He added: “I will call for a review of the ongoing work with officials of the SIDCGL to take stock of the situation. I have already written a letter to the Collector seeking an extension of time till May 30 to execute the work.”
The Collector had ordered the diversion of heavy traffic coming into Margao city from the North via the western bypass before it joins the city near the KTC bus stand.
Over the years, raw sewage has been flowing into the water bodies and stormwater drains in the Fatorda area of the city as the old line, laid in the mid-80s, had outlived its utility.
Work on the North Main Line was taken up around 2017 after former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar assumed office with the support of the Goa Forward Party.
