PWD Minister Digambar Kamat launching the night soil tanker purchased by the Margao Municipal council on Thursday. Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
A night soil tanker returned to the Margao Municipal Council’s fleet after many years on Thursday. The facility is expected to be provided at rates lower than those charged by private operators, considering the overflowing sewage problem plaguing the commercial capital.
After inaugurating the vehicle, PWD Minister Digambar Kamat directed Margao Municipal Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar and the engineers to crack down on owners of establishments discharging waste or sewage water into public drains.
“The Central government has provided a grant of Rs 30 lakh through GSUDA to purchase the vehicle, while the MMC has sanctioned Rs 10 lakh. This facility is in great demand as private agencies charge exorbitant fees. The MMC should work out the costing without considering the profit angle, since the civic body is there to serve society,” he said.
Kamat warned of strict action, including suspension of MMC staff, if the vehicle was diverted to clean private septic tanks outside the MMC jurisdiction. “First preference for this facility should be given to the people of Margao,” he said.
On the Comba sewage problem, Kamat said the financial bid for the repair and restoration of the damaged sewage chambers would be opened on Thursday. “Most probably, work on the Rs 1.80 crore project should start by next week. Some people were trying to claim credit for the work by demanding an inspection of the line through the Health Department. The inspection was cancelled after I spoke to Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, who realised that work on repairing the sewage chambers would commence by next week,” he added.
