MARGAO
Fatorda MLA and Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday said he has instructed the Chief Electrical Engineer to immediate hire a specialized Goan agency to repair the sewage chambers damaged during the laying of the underground power cable on the Cuncolim-Fatorda line.
Sardesai had a meeting with officials of the Goa Sewerage Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (GSIDCL) to address the growing public concern over damaged and overflowing sewerage manholes in the vicinity of Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.
Sardesai said that the damage to these manholes was caused by underground power cable works executed by a contractor appointed by the Electricity Department for the Cuncolim-Fatorda line. He said he has also written to the Chief Minister seeking specific emergency works to address damaged and overflowing manholes across Fatorda.
Emphasizing the importance of employing a Goan contractor, Sardesdai said, “There is only one such expert agency in Goa that has the necessary equipment and expertise for boring and suction of debris clogging sewerage lines. Engaging a local agency ensures accountability. We cannot allow contractors to abandon the work and disappear, especially in this time-sensitive situation,” he said.
Sardesai added that after the immediate repairs around Nehru Stadium, sewer lines in other critical areas such as Old Market Circle, Chandrawado, and Davorlim (Davondem) must be inspected and cleaned. “We cannot allow raw sewage to spill onto our roads, especially ahead of the monsoon. The government did not undertake necessary pre-monsoon maintenance of sewerage lines, and now the people are suffering the consequences.”
He further urged the Chief Minister to appoint the specialist agency to carry out such works wherever required in the State , especially in Fatorda consitituency, and to earmark emergency funds for this essential work. “We are in a public health emergency and the government must act decisively,” he said.
Criticising the state’s priorities, Sardesai added, “The government seems more focused on managing the fallout from a minister’s corruption allegations than solving real issues faced by the people. Everyone knows the government is riddled with corruption ” there's no use obsessing over it. Instead, urgent civic issues like sewage management must take priority.”
