MARGAO
A joint inspection called by the Benaulim panchayat on the location of the holding tank for the discharge of sewage waters from the Colva Sewerage Treatment Plant showed that the officials were not clear on the exact location of the tank.
Officials of the sewerage department, Water Resources Department and the Town and Country Planning Department attended the joint inspection called by Benaulim sarpanch Xavier Pereira. The departments, however, did not propose a plan for the holding tank and other details.
Officials of the GSIDCL informed that the location is finalised somewhere between the two outlets/culverts Northeast of Khareband Bridge. It was revealed during the inspection that there was no approved plan for the construction of the tank, nor had any NOC been obtained for its construction.
Locals raised concerns over possible flooding due to the cumulative impact of the flow from the culverts and the discharge from the sewerage line during heavy rains. They pointed out that the entire area in question was flooded during the monsoon wherein the water level rose above the road. They also expressed their concern over the possible erosion of the river bed around the foundation of the Khareband bridge which could threaten the stability of the bridge.
The locals also raised concerns with regards to the laying of the discharge pipes underwater in the River Sal. They requested sewerage corporation official Prakas Pai to lay the discharge pipes above the water so that the water being released will be visible to the public and thus deter the release of untreated sewage.
Sarpanch Xavier has requested Pai to conduct a comparative financial and technical feasibility study of the original location of the tank where the pipe currently ends and the current site at which the tank is being constructed. A third alternative was proposed to lay the pipeline to the discharge point of the Navelim sewerage treatment plants.
The sarpanch further asked Pai to obtain TCP and WRD approvals for the construction of the discharge tank and submit the approved plan to the panchayat. Pai said he will talk to his superiors.
