MARGAO
Guess the reason behind the waterlogging in the Comba subway, an alternate way for road users, including the student community, when the railway level crossing is closed for traffic, over 50 times a day?
The nuisance and health hazard caused by the waterlogging inside the subway has not abated and neither have the PWD officials, be it sewerage, roads or water supply found out the exact reason behind the continuous water flow into the road underpass.
It has become all the more important to find out the reasons behind the waterlogging given that the southwest monsoons had retreated long ago and the city had witnessed drizzle or showers recently.
Sadly, all the PWD departments, be it sewerage, roads or water supply, have miserably failed to find out the exact cause behind the waterlogging even as the fingers of suspicion have been pointed at the sewerage department.
What’s significant to note is that Margao MLA Digambar Kamat inspected the subway in January and issued clear-cut directions to the PWD officials to find out the water seepage into the subway and plug the same on priority.
As the water logging has not abated, with the water emanating a foul odour, posing a nuisance and health hazard to the passersby, including the students, questions are being asked whether sewage water from the sewerage line has found its way into the subway or the water found accumulated inside the subway is sewage water from residential buildings.
Locals pointed out that the Comba subway had been in the news around half a decade ago when the underpass was inundated by sewage waters. While the needle of suspicion was pointed out by the sewerage department, investigations by the PWD and the Margao municipality later revealed that the sewage water had found its way from a residential complex.
PWD blamed for laxity
A senior official of an educational institution sought to blame the PWD officials for their lax attitude on the issue, more so when the subway is the alternate road for thousands of students when the level crossing is closed for traffic.
“Is it not the duty and responsibility of the PWD officials to find out the source from where the water, whether sewage or otherwise, is finding its way into the subway? Two months have passed now and the flow of water into the subway has not abated,” he said.
He added: “We residents as well as parents of school children were all happy when Margao MLA Digambar Kamat inspected the subway along with PWD officials in January last. Sadly, the ground reality has not changed for the better.”
While officials of the PWD Roads pointed out that the sewerage department ought to take up the issue seriously, the Sewerage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) general manager Prakash Pai was not available for comment.
