MARGAO
Around three cows are believed to have died, while as many persons have suffered boils on their legs and hands after they entered the fields, which locals of Cana-Benaulim now suspect is contaminated with sewage waters from a housing society.
While no one now dares to enter the water and the owners not leaving the cattle for grazing in the fields, a joint inspection of the pond has now pointed the finger of suspicion on a residential society.
While the residential society has claimed that the sewage waters are released in the nullah, which finds its way into the pond, local residents and Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas have expressed grave doubts over the functioning of the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) installed in the housing society.
In fact, the MLA has now asked the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) officials to crack a whip and get the residential society to pump out the sewage waters from the STP through a night soil tanker before initiating further action.
“This incident should come as an eye opener for everyone. The builders set up the mega housing projects, without making adequate arrangements for garbage and sewage disposal. This is not acceptable since it affects the local residents for no fault of theirs,” he said.
He added: “The society has claimed they are treating the sewage generated in the complex. But, we have doubts over the claims since you have to use certain chemicals to treat the sewage, which is not carried out in the instant case.”
The MLA has mooted strict measures, including installation of CCTV cameras, to stop discharge of raw sewage from the housing societies.
A resident Xavier Fernandes pointed out that a total of three cows so far have been infected by a disease after grazing in the pond. He said at least three persons who have entered the fields have been affected with boils on their legs.
