Kandolkar says sewerage work has begun in Calangute, but Mapusa lags behind
Congressman and senior councillor Sudhir Kandolkar addressing the media in Mapusa on Tuesday.
MAPUSA
Advocating the need to start the sewerage project at the earliest in Mapusa, Congressman and senior councillor Sudhir Kandolkar on Monday said Mapusa River (Tar River) has been stinking due to the sewage flowing into it and replacing the pipe bridge across NH-66 will not resolve the pollution of the river.
He also maintained that the entire river has to be dredged in order to restore it to its former glory.
“Many households release their sewage into the gutters which makes its way into the nullahs, which in turn, is connected to the Mapusa River. Also, several establishments in the municipal market release their waste into the nullahs which find its way into the river,” said Kandolkar.
“The pollution of the river will stop only when all households and establishments are connected to the sewerage line,” he added.
The senior councillor, who has been a chairperson for several terms, was addressing a news conference in Mapusa.
Kandlokar disclosed that several toilets in Mapusa are directly connected to the gutters which finally find their way to the river.
“The Tar River is polluted due to discharge of sewerage into it. The replacement of pipe-bridge was necessary but that will not resolve the problem of pollution of the river,” he said, making a case for kick-starting the sewerage project.
He said the work to lay the sewerage pipeline was started way back in 2013 but for some reasons the project has been delayed.
“Recently, sewerage and road works have begun in neighbouring Calangute but nothing seems to be moving ahead in Mapusa,” Kandolkar said.
“Almost Rs 80 crore has been spent to lay the sewerage pipeline in Mapusa. Around 45 man-holes at various points of the pipeline have leakages. The sewerage treatment plant is ready and has also got electricity connection,” he said.
He further said the Sewerage and Infrastructural Development Corporation should take up the job to connect individual homes to the sewerage line.
