MARGAO
As the Sewerage & Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) continued its work to lay the underground line in Benaulim for the discharge of the treated sewage water of the Colva STP plant into the river Sal, a delegation of Benaulim villagers, including MLA Venzy Viegas, Benaulim Deputy Sarpanch Nilesh Prabhudesai and others called on Revenue Minister Atanasio Babush Monserrate in Panaji to brief him on the situation.
The delegation is now planning to call on PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral with a plea to work out a mechanism to reuse the sewage treated water instead of discharging the same into the sea or river given that water is a scarce resource.
Sewerage Corporation officials pointed out that work on the project continued on Thursday after the High Court did not grant any stay to the intervention petition filed by the Benaulim villagers to stop the ongoing work.
In fact, officials pointed out that the corporation now plans to expedite the work, which was delayed due to the stoppage, since the monsoon is around the corner.
Meanwhile, the delegation of Benaulim villagers, who called on the Revenue Minister, briefed him that the villagers have been objecting to the work since the corporation did not take permission from the local panchayat as insisted by the District Collector.
After giving the delegation a patient hearing, the Revenue Minister is believed to have vowed to discuss the matter threadbare with Additional Collector, South Sanjit Rodrigues since the District Collector is presently on leave.
