VASCO
The Chicalim gram sabha meeting on Sunday discussed various issues but saw heated moments over the Sewage treatment plant and the discharge of sewage in the nullah.
Speaking to media after the gram sabha meeting Captain Viriato Fernandes said that amid various points discussed , the major issue was sewage.
" Sewage is being discharged in the drains and nullahs which are not cleaned leading to the breeding of mosquitoes and the people were demanding action and approached WRD to clear the nullahs . The people complained that mega projects and residential colonies are leaving their sewage in the nullah which is a major violation," said Fernandes.
"Another issue discussed was of setting up a Sewage Treatment Plant ( STP) that is planned in the village below, which the people felt was to facilitate the management of sewage of the residential colonies built on the top side of the village. The people in the village below are having septic tanks while new sewage lines are being set up in the top area and if a STP is built below, all the waste will come flowing down and cause a mess for the villagers. People said that they will not allow the panchayat to decide the site of the STP without consulting the villagers," said Fernandes.
Fernandes also appreciated Alisha Pereira for having moved a proposal to the panchayat to protect the agricultural land and take all measures to cultivate and rejuvenate the land and not allow any construction projects in agriculture land.
Chicalim Sarpanch Kamla Prasad Yadav said that the gram sabha meeting had healthy discussions on various subjects pertaining to the village.
" The sewerage is being discharged in drains which is a major issue and we will initiate strict action against such people. We are having a new 5TPT Garbage plant with the help of Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho and once the plant is commissioned, it will ensure that Chicalim will be 100 per cent garbage free. We are also having a new faecal sludge treatment plant which will treat sewage water and this will also solve the issue of sewage discharge in the nullah or sewage coming down to the village," said Yadav.
" One of the youth has asked to protect the farmlands which is a good initiative and we have to protect agricultural land so that youth can get back to farming . I have even suggested that they all form a huge group and engage in kitchen garden farming, " said Yadav.
