MARGAO
The ambitious Rs 79.32-crore Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) project, based on the state-of-the-art Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) technology, aims to double the existing sewage treatment capacity to meet the projected generation of 45 MLD by the year 2045, catering to an estimated 3.37 lakh population.
Once commissioned in 2026, the project is expected to resolve the persistent issues plaguing the existing 26.7 MLD plant at the Sirvodem Sewage Treatment Complex, including the chronic problem of sewage backflow.
However, the government faces a crucial challenge ” whether the Public Works Department (PWD) or the Sewerage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa (SIDCGL) has established any mechanism to detect large-scale rainwater infiltration into the underground sewage lines during the monsoon.
Every monsoon, sewage chambers overflow and resemble water fountains, spewing a hazardous mix of rainwater and sewage onto roads and low-lying areas. This recurring problem poses serious health risks to residents and highlights defects in the underground sewage network that remain unaddressed despite repeated complaints.
When asked about the issue, PWD Minister Digambar Kamat said the government has undertaken several remedial measures, including the replacement of the North Main Trunk Line from the KTC bus stand to the Sirvodem STP complex.
“The replacement of the North Main Trunk Line has provided relief in areas such as Comba. We are actively working to resolve all issues affecting the sewage system,” Kamat said.
Sources, however, maintain that the problem extends beyond the North Main Trunk Line and affects several areas across the city ” including manholes located behind the Margao Municipal Building. In fact, many manholes prone to overflowing during rains have reportedly been capped with concrete to temporarily prevent sewage outflow.
Households to face power, water cuts for sewage violations
MARGAO: Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Digambar Kamat has warned households discharge sewage in the drains and nullahs to obtain the sewerage connections at the earliest, saying the government is seriously contemplating to invoke the penal provisions in the Sewage Act to disconnect power and water connections of the violators.
After launching the ambitious project on the 20MLD STP plant based on the Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) technology at the Sirvodem sewage treatment complex on Tuesday, Kamat reminded that the Sewage Act mandates every household and commercial establishment to connect their premises to the underground sewage line. He said the Act contains a penal provision wherein households can be penalised by way of disconnection of water and power supply in the event they do not obtain the sewage connections. “Till date, the government has not invoked the penal provision in order to give time to the households to take the sewage connections. But, the time has now come to crack a whip against the violators. The district Collector will penalise the violators by disconnecting their water and power supply if found releasing sewage in the drains and gutters,” he added.
The PWD Minister reminded the people that the government has exempted the households from payment of the sewage connection charges with a provision to deduct the charges from the water bills in instalments. “A time will come even this facility will be withdrawn by the government. Hence, I appeal to the households to take the sewage connections at the earliest and avoid action,” he warned.
Saying that government’s efforts to provide the best of sewage treatment infrastructure would go waste if people do not take the sewage connection, Kamat said the new state-of-the-art plant will not only treat sewage generated in the commercial capital but the areas on the city outskirts such as Navelim and parts of Curtorim.
PWD to implement vacuum tech for sewage network in low lying areas
MARGAO: The PWD will implement the vacuum technology in Margao to provide sewage network in the low lying areas of Malbhat, Gandhi Market, Aquem Baixo and near Laxmi Empire.
Once implemented, the technology will pave way for the connection of the households and establishments in these low lying areas to the underground sewage network.
As a first step, a pumping station will be set up at the Margao Municipal land at Malbhat. The MMC has already adopted a resolution to hand over land admeasuring 100 metres to the PWD to set up the pumping station.
PWD Minister Digambar Kamat told the media that the vacuum technology, which is already implemented in some parts of the State, will be introduced in the city to extend the sewerage network to the low lying areas of the city.
He said the High Court has issued directions to the agencies, including the PWD to implement the technology in the low lying area of Margao on priority. “The PWD is going ahead with the implementation of the technology in Margao. The MMC has already decided to hand over land to the PWD to set up a pumping station,” Kamat said, adding work on the project will start within one month.
PWD estimates: Rs 79.32 cr project
Presently, two STPs are in operation at Sirvodem-Margao having total capacity of 26.70 MLD (20 +6.70). These STP’s are catering to Margao, Fatorda, parts of Curtorim, parts of Velim and parts of Navelim constituencies
Additionally, sewage from nearly 50-60 sewage tankers are received at the STP complex, increasing the load on the existing STPs by nearly 90 per cent, especially during the monsoons
The operational STPs are catering to around two lakh population in Margao, Fatorda, parts of Curtorim, parts of Velim and parts of Navelim constituencies
Margao and its surrounding areas is witnessing fast development as evident by the number of residential complexes and commercial establishments, shopping complexes, malls, offices, educational institutions, etc
Present capacity of 26.70 MLD is inadequate to cater the upcoming sewage load of new developments and balance areas of Navelim sewerage system which is being commissioned in phases
Estimated generation of sewage is pegged around 45 MLD (2045)
The projected population in these areas is expected to touchb 3.37 lakh by 2045
In view of above, additional 20 MLD STP based on SBR technology is proposed by revamping the old existing discarded 7.5 MLD STP (Outdated technology of activated sludge process) within the premises
