MARGAO
The Margao Municipal Council is on its toes, literally, to identify and initiate action against establishments discharging wastewater in the drains, which finds its way to the Salpem lake, Navelim polluting the waters and preventing the farmers from cultivating the fields.
Thanks to the directions issued by the High Court in the petition filed by Antonio Alvares, the Margao Municipality has till date issued notices to 65 small and medium hotels, directing them to show cause why action under Section 197 read with Section 224 of the Goa Municipalities Act 1968 and under Section 41 of the Goa Public Health Act 1985 should not be initiated against them.
Since Municipal bodies have no power to disconnect the water supply to the establishments, the MMC has directed the hotels to show cause why a penalty amounting to Rs 5,000 should not be imposed on them on account of discharging wastewater in Salpem lake at Navelim. The hotel owners were further told to show cause why the matter should not be referred to the health officer and Assistant Engineer for the disconnection of water supply to avoid nuisance and health hazards in the locality.
The owners of the 65 hotels have been directed to file a reply within seven days from receipt of the notice.
The High Court has directed the Margao municipality, Health Department and the PWD, Sewerage to initiate action against the erring hotels and establishments discharging wastewater in the drain, MMC officials informed.
Sanitary inspector Viraj Arabekar informed that since the Kudchadkar stormwater nullah connects the city to the Salpem late, the MMC has issued notices to the hotels and establishments located along the stretch of the nullah.
“We have issued the notice after preliminary inquiry. If the hotels are connected to the underground sewerage line, the show cause notice will be withdrawn. If not, the MMC will impose the fine and also refer the matter to the Health Department for disconnection of water supply”, he warned.
While the MMC has brought the hotels and establishments under its scanner in the first phase, sources in the civic body informed that the Municipality will crack a whip against the residential houses, including single-dwelling units and housing complexes if they are found violating the provisions of the Public Health Act.
Sources informed the High Court directions have come as a blessing in disguise since a large number of business establishments and residential complexes are still not connected to the sewerage network in areas where the underground line is in place.
