WASTE WATER DISCHARGE IN STORM WATER DRAINS
No solution yet to the discharge of sewage water in storm water drains in Margao.
MARGAO
Margao Municipal Council’s move to dispose of show cause notices issued to households for disposing of waste water in the storm water drains on condition that the PWD will release sewage connections to the premises in a tentative duration of time has not found favour with the High Court.
While agreeing with the submission made by the Amicus Curiae, who had expressed concerns over the MMC’s move, the High Court has instructed the Municipal Council not to dispose of show cause notices merely upon receipt of the tentative timeline, when the connections are likely to be released.
The High Court has further directed the agencies to prepare a report as well as the map and furnish the same to the Amicus Curiae in advance.
The High Court’s direction assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that the Core Committee headed by Margao Municipal Chief Officer Melvyn Vaz had submitted minutes of the meeting of the panel in the Court.
At the meeting of the Core Committee, it was advised that in cases where the households have claimed to have connected or will connect their premises to the line, the PWD/Sewage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) can give such residence in writing that the connections will be released in a tentative duration of time so that the Municipal Council can dispose of such cases.
Amicus Curiae Gauravvardhan Nadkarni, however, had this expressed in the court on two counts;
One, the Amicus Curiae said there should be a direction issued to the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to inspect the septic tanks installed in the market by the SGPDA before the commencement of the monsoons.
The second concern expressed by the Amicus Curiae was in the wake of the specific noting in the minutes of meeting placed before the Court, indicating that the Municipal Council shall dispose of the cases, once the PWD/SIDCL will confirm as to within what period of time the connections shall be released in their favour. He submitted that it is not only this date which should be relevant but the show cause notices should be kept pending till the actual connections are made available to the residents.
“We agree with the submission made by the Amicus Curiae and we instruct the Municipal Council not to dispose of show cause notices merely upon receipt of the tentative timeline, when the connections are likely to be released.
Since some more steps are contemplated in the wake of the minutes submitted by the Core committee, the Court deemed it appropriate to re-notify the PIL Petition for further consideration on June 24, 2025
Minutes of Core Committee
meeting on sewage
A glance at the minutes of the Core Committee shows that the Margao Municipal Council is in the process of hearing of the cases of the residential houses in Margao jurisdiction, where show cause notices were issued for discharge of sewage in nullah.
*During the proceedings of such hearings, the Municipal Council has come across cases where some of residents has already obtained sewage connection and the same can be also verified on ground.
*However there is no documentary evidence as the same is not reflecting in their respective water bills hence there is difficulty in disposing such cases,
*Secondly, the number of residents that have applied for sewage connection, copies of such applications have been submitted to Margao Municipal Council.
*However it is not known when the connections are likely to be released. It was advised in such cases PWD/SIDCGL can give such residence in writing that the connections will be released in a tentative duration of time so that the Municipal Council can dispose of such cases.
Vacuum technology
feasibility
The PWD, Div WD XXI has informed that an agency "Supama Infrastructure Services Ltd" is conducting a survey of the low lying area of Margao Municipal jurisdiction to prepare a feasibility report for the introduction of vacuum technology for low lying area.
The PWD official has assured that the report on the study will be submitted positively on May 15 as per the information furnished by the agency.
The official further informed that since the low lying areas are scattered and at different locations, additional vacuum pumping station needs to be designed for installation, which involves extra work of surveying of gradients of the existing roads and ground.
