MARGAO
After the acute pollution at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate, residents of Cuncolim are now up in arms against what they alleged is the discharge of sewage in the open by an educational institute in the town.
The residents have pointed out that promises were handed out to the people that locals would get employment in the institute. Leave alone jobs, the residents have now claimed the discharge of sewage water threatens to pollute the water resources and pose health hazards to the local inhabitants.
President of the Cuncolim Citizens Forum Mario Moraes has claimed that the educational project has so far failed to address the sewage discharge issue, fearing that the rampant discharge of sewage in the open may contaminate the ground level and the water resources. “We had welcomed the educational project with open arms, hoping that Cuncolim would be on the education map of the country. What I am saying is that the institute should take effective measures for the treatment of sewage. We are told that the Institute has two STPs in the campus, but whether they are working or not is a big question,” Moraes said.
Saying that pits have been dug on the campus for the discharge of sewage, Moraes said people staying in the neighbourhood have complained of foul odour emanating from the area.
“As far as jobs are concerned, I do not want to blame the institute, because the issue falls in the domain of the State government,” he added.
Moraes along with other residents have decided to lodge a complaint with the Cuncolim Municipal Council and other authorities to end the menace of sewage disposal.
