VASCO
PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral on Monday said there was no discharge of raw sewage from the Baina Sewerage Treatment plant in the sea, as claimed by traditional fishermen in the area.
During a joint inspection of the plant along with Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar, PWD officials and other locals, Cabral also added that he would install CCTVs in the plant and also revamp the facility with additional solar power panels.
Cabral had arrived for an inspection after Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar had raised concerns over discharge of raw sewage in the Arabian Sea, which had caused inconvenience to traditional fishermen and posed health hazards as well besides reducing the catch of fish.
Speaking to media persons after the inspection, PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral said the PWD staff were equally accountable as him for any issues which caused inconvenience to people.
“The plant is in perfect condition and the issue of smell is only when raw sewerage falls in the plant and spreads through the air. We will try and use air purifiers at all plants to prevent the stench from spreading in other neighbouring parts,” said Cabral.
“We have two valves and a pipe without a valve and we will try and pack any opening from where there is a possibility of raw sewage moving out of the plant. We have also decided to install a CCTV at the plant and it will be monitored on our IP, so as to address the doubts of the fishermen that raw sewage could be discharged from the plant in the sea.”
"Secondly, we have a Nullah which comes here and people have discharged sewage in the Nullah. Quite often, the high tide pushes the water behind and the low tide sucks in all the water from the Nullah in the sea.”
“I will try and monitor the tidal influence on the flow of water in that Nullah and I have even given my number to fishermen to report to me in case they observe raw sewage being discharged in the sea.”
Cabral said he will find a permanent solution and is willing to provide sewage connection but people must refrain from discharging sewage in Nullahs to ensure fishermen are not affected.
“I will also speak to WRD Minister Shubash Shirodkar to identify such Nullahs and if people don't co-operate, we may have to take action," said Cabral.
Cabral said solar panels in the plant have been damaged with some people throwing stones.
"We have noticed many solar panels which have been damaged and we have so much land here that if required, we will also put more solar panels and connect it to the grid.”
“We will make this plant operate with less electricity and more of solar power. Once we install CCTVs, we will take stringent action on those trying to damage the solar panels,” he added.
Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar said that he was happy with the detailed joint inspection carried out by Cabral to clear the doubts of local traditional fishermen.
