Sewage flows through a nullah before joining River Sal. File photo
MARGAO
Yet another inspection of sewage discharge is planned in the city, this time at Comba, where sewage has been flowing into drains before entering River Sal.
While the Goa State Pollution Control Board had collected water samples from River Sal near the Khareband bridge, the Health Department has arranged an inspection of the sewage-affected wells, stormwater drains and sewage discharge at Comba following directions issued by Health Minister Vishwajit Rane.
During his visit to the South Goa Collectorate last week as part of the 'Government at Your Doorstep' programme, Madganvcho Awaaz and youth leader Prabhav Naik had submitted a memorandum to Health and Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane, listing the issues plaguing the sewerage system at Comba and explaining how the discharge had affected wells and drains in the locality.
The Minister had issued immediate instructions to the Health and municipal authorities to conduct an inspection, while cautioning Margao Municipal Council Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar that there should be no politics in the matter of the inspection.
Reacting to the development, Prabhav Naik stated, “I thank Health Minister Vishwajit Rane for directing a joint site inspection of the Comba sewage menace. I appeal for his continued cooperation in ensuring a permanent solution. Madganvcho Awaaz will relentlessly pursue this matter until this long-pending issue is resolved.”
He said the Directorate of Health Services had scheduled a joint site inspection of sewage-affected wells, stormwater drains and sewage discharge in Comba, Margao, on Tuesday.
“I had raised serious concerns over repeated sewage leakages, suspected contamination of traditional wells and sewage flowing through stormwater drains into a nullah connected to River Sal," Naik said. He emphasised that the wells, also used for religious purposes, including Ganesh Visarjan, must be protected and demanded permanent corrective measures to safeguard public health and the environment.
