the goan I network
MAPUSA
The locals of Calangute are up in arms against the bid to forcibly install a sewage pumping station in a residential area.
The residents of Naika-vaddo, Calangute, have opposed the project as it will not only pollute the environment but cause noise pollution due to sound of the generators used to pump the sewage.
The residents fear that if there is any leakage it could pollute the ground water and thereby contaminate well water in the area.
“We are not against development. But if our health is at stake then what is the use of development? We have requested the authorities concerned to shift the pumping station to another place,” said Pricilla Pinto, a local.
The initial plan was to install the sewage pumping station at Gaura-vaddo but later it was decided to shift it to Naika-vaddo.
“The project was supposed to start in survey no 118 at Gaura-vaddo and the land was also acquired by the government and money paid in 2013. But it was decided to shift here without acquiring the land, feasibility report and without any plans,” said Alwyn Fernandes, a resident from the area.
According to some residents, two weeks ago JICA authorities came there with a JCB and police force to begin work on the pumping station.
However, they had to beat a hasty retreat after residents demanded to know whether they had NOCs from the departments concerned.
A social activist, Roshan Mathias, informed that the villagers had written to Calangute panchayat to hold a meeting with the residents on the issue. “If the project is good and will cause no harm, the villagers won’t mind having it. But the sarpanch wants to go ahead with the pumping station without taking people into confidence,” Mathias said.
He said if the pancahayat continues to maintain a rigid stand on the issue then the villagers will have no alternative, but approach the court and stall the project.
Interestingly, local panch Anthony Menezes is backing the villagers against the sewage pumping station.
“It’s a 100 percent residential area. I had almost three meetings with the sarpanch and the local MLA on the issue. We don’t want to hurt the sentiments of the people. We are trying to work some way out,” Menezes, who was former sarpanch, said.
He said the problem can be resolved if the project can be installed in the earlier site but a little away from the
main road.
