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MAPUSA
Even after six years, the JICA funded sewerage project in Mapusa and the coastal village of Calangute-Baga continues to remain in limbo.
While the contractors are facing public opposition to set up the final two pumping stations in Calangute, 99 per cent of the work in Mapusa is complete.
With almost the entire sewerage network including work of sewerage treatment plant (STP) complete, the final job is to release house connections in Mapusa city which has to be done by the sewerage corporation.
Sources informed the work has remained pending due to financial constraints.
Government has to pay almost Rs 12 crore to Simplex Infrastructures Ltd which is executing the job.
“Apart from some 10 to 12 manholes in Kamarkhazan which need to be tested most of our work is complete. The STP is also complete but it is yet to be commissioned,” an official of Simplex informed.
The contract to lay a sewerage line in Mapusa and Calangute-Baga was awarded to Simplex in 2012 and work on the project began in April 2013.
The total cost of the project was pegged at Rs 152.72 crore and was expected to be completed in September 2015.
The sewerage work in several parts of the State is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
With a total of 1,429 manholes and 1,450 inspection chambers in place, sewerage pipeline network of 38.30 km in length is complete in Mapusa.
The Sewerage Treatment Plant at Kamarkhazan, Mapusa, is also complete but cannot be operated for want of electrical connection.
Similarly, 1,044 manholes out of 1,060 and 1,150 inspection chambers out of 1,200 have been completed along the 30.96 km sewerage pipeline in Calangute-Baga.
The Sewerage Treatment Plant in Baga is complete in all respects.
PWD officials attached to the sewerage project remained tightlipped over the completion of the project.
Project Director for JICA, Umesh Kulkarni, informed that 99 per cent of the sewerage project was completed in Bardez.
“Only two pumping stations have to be set up in Calangute which will be done very soon while in Mapusa almost the entire work is complete. Now, the sewerage corporation is expected to release house connections,” Kulkarni said.
He also said the Mapusa STP will be commissioned as soon as it gets the electrical connection.
