MARGAO
Concerned agencies including the Goa State Pollution Control Board, Sewerage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd, SGPDA, etc once again came under the lens of the High Court hearing the Public Interest Litigation on the Salpem lake pollution on Tuesday after the Amicus Curiae Neha Shirodkar filed a report of the ground reality in Margao on the sewerage disposal front.
The GSPCB also faced the question of sealing of the establishments which were issued closure notices by the Board for discharging sewage and waste water and for operating without the consent to operate.
Petitioner in the PIL, Prof Antonio Alvares, who appeared in person via video conferencing, told the media that the Amicus Curiae Neha Shirodkar filed a short report after inspection of various places in Margao. The Amicus Curiae had gone round various storm water nullahs in the city only to find they were carrying sewage and waste water, which later found its way either to the Salpem Lake or the River Sal.
Alvares informed that the High Court has told all respondents to look at the report and ensure action on all the issues highlighted. He said all the respondents have been directed to file action taken report on or before the next hearing fixed on March 12.
Alvares further informed that the SIDCGL has been directed to file report in four weeks on the Margao sewage.
The petitioner pointed out that the SGPDA has filed a report that soak pit construction is going on in the market and the work will be complete in 15 days. The SGPDA has promised to file a status report at the next date of hearing.
Alvares further said the Water Resources Department, which is recently added as respondents in the PIL, has been told to file a report on the state of the nullahs within four weeks.
He said Amicus Curiae Gaurav Vardhan has submitted to the High Court the delay on the part of the Goa State Pollution Control Board in sealing the erring establishment in the city. The Court has now directed the sealing of the establishments through the Mamlatdar and District Collector, South with further direction to the GSPCB to file a report on the next date.
Meanwhile, petitioner Alvares told the media that no one knows what exactly is the work the WRD is going to execute at the Salpem Lake at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore. “Everyone is asking for clarity on the project and whether the Rs 5 crore project will in any way stop the flow of Margao sewage into Navelim,” he added.
Complete stop to sewage water flow will help lake restoration: WRD official
MARGAO: Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar launched the Rs 5 crore development and rejuvenation of the Salpem Lake, but Water Resources Department asserted that the once picturesque lake can be restored to its past glory only if the authorities contain the discharge of sewage and waste water from Margao into the water body.
In fact, a WRD official point blank told the Navelim MLA that the Rs 5 crore project is a step forward in the rejuvenation of the Salpem Lake. The officer, however, hastened to add that only a complete stop to the flow of sewage water from Margao will help the restoration of the lake and facilitate revival of the fields.
Take note, the WRD official was forthright in saying the issue of stopping the flow of sewage water from Margao into Navelim falls in the domain of other authorities, including the Margao Municipal Council and the sewerage department.
He has suggested implementation of a jet well near the Kudchadkar nullah and pump the water to a pipeline connected to the nearby Sirvodem STP plant.
“The Salpem Lake development project will help in desilting ponds and a nullah, besides beautifying a bundh and construction of a sluice gate. All these works will in no way stop the flow of sewage water coming from Margao into Salpem,” another official told the Navelim MLA.
MLA Tuenkar said he would take up the sewage issue with the government by calling a meeting of the concerned agencies in addressing the burning problem. “The development of Salpem will in no doubt benefit the farmers and restore greenery. As far as the sewage flow is concerned, I will take up with the government to convene a meeting of the departments to address the issue. The sewage flow from Margao into Salpem should stop forthwith. If the sewage flow continues in the water body, the money spend on the development of Salpem Lake will not bring about a change on the ground,” he said.
The work was blessed by the Our Lady of Rosary Church, Navelim, Fr Gabriel Coutinho and launched by the Navelim MLA in the presence of Navelim Sarpanch Michael Cardozo, Navelim ZP Member Cipru Cardozo besides others.
