MARGAO
With sewage collection and disposal a prerequisite for the operation of the beach shacks, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira along with the shack owners on Friday explored the option of collection and disposal of sewage generated by beach shacks by a private agency.
During a meeting with the beach shack operators led by the President of Shack Owners Society Cruz Cardozo and PWD, Sewerage Executive Engineer Swapnil Desai at the district Collectorate, South, on Friday, it has been decided to request a private agency to conduct a survey of the beach belt from Mormugao and Salcete and work out the cost of laying the logistics and transportation of the sewage generated by the beach shacks to the Colva sewerage treatment plant.
In this context, the Environment Minister discussed with the PWD Engineer, Desai on the commissioning of the long-delayed Colva STP, wherein it was submitted that the plant is ready in all respects to accept sewerage for treatment.
After the meeting, Sequeira told the media that the private agency will descend on the beach belt to check the ground reality and submit a proposal to the Shack Owners Society for implementation. “The shack owners will have to pay the agency for the collection and disposal of their sewage. We are meeting again on December 20 to take the proposal forward,” he added.
When asked whether the earlier proposal of purchasing two vehicles to transport the sewage from the beach shacks has been shelved, the Minister said, “The decision to rope in a private agency has been taken as it would take some time to get government approvals for the purchase of the two vehicles.”
He said the sewerage department officials were invited for the meeting since it was realised that there is no receiving point to receive sewage from the tankers for treatment at the STP.
To a question, the Minister said the shack owners have claimed they have procured tanks for the collection and disposal of the sewage. “As of now, I have no idea of the sewage disposal system of the shacks. I feel that engaging a private agency could offer a solution,” he added.
