MARGAO
A fresh inspection of the storm water nullahs and drains in the commercial capital as per the directions of the High Court in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a citizen of Navelim, Prof Antonio Alvares has revealed that the ground situation has not changed for the better.
The joint inspection carried out the Jose Mascarenhas, Asst Engg PWD DIV XXI S.D. I Fartorda, Omkar Naik, JE, SIDCL, Margao, and the Margao Municipal sanitary inspectors, Viraj Arabekar and Sanjay Sanguelkar, showed that sewage and wastewater is still finding its way into the storm water nullahs across the city.
Barring the storm water nullah near the South Goa district Collectorate, which was surprisingly found dry, almost all the remaining drains inspected by the team have been found carrying sewage and wastewater.
Inspection has revealed that the manholes of the sewerage network situated behind the District Hospital, Fatorda, were found ruptured and that a heavy flow of sewage was found diverted/discharge in the storm water drain. Such sewage was further found flowing in the nullah near the entrance of the District Hospital.
Meanwhile, sewage manhole chambers situated in the fields behind the Presentation Convent were found overflowing and the sewage was found discharged in the fields.
The sewage discharge from the manhole behind the Collectorate Office, Mathany Saldhana Complex, has been stopped. During the time of inspection, the team did not find discharge of sewage in the nullah.
The team came across discharge of sewage at the Colva Circle, opposite the South Goa District and Sessions Court. Sewage was also found flowing from the fish, chicken and meat shops in the SGPDA Market. The sewage water was found further flowing near the Mungul Bridge.
The inspection team found sewage discharge in the storm water nullah near Daivaijna Hall, Margao. It was found that the nullah further flowed towards the Kudchadkar Nursing Home. The Municipal Council has issued notices to the residential and commercial premises situated adjoining the nullah and discharging sewage in the nullah.
Sources informed that the PWD and SIDCGL officials have now been asked to explore the possibilities of laying a sewer line and connecting it to the sewerage network.
