MARGAO
Inspection of the city’s storm water nallahs and drains by the Goa State Pollution Control Board last month on October 19 last month was not the first inspection conducted by the Pollution Control Board over the years to unearth the drains carrying sewage water into the river Sal.
For, the GSPCB has been part of the inspection teams carrying out several inspections of the city’s storm water nallahs and drains over the years, with the inspections reporting damning findings how the city’s water bodies and drainages were devastated by sewage water.
The moot question, however, remains unanswered “ has the GSPCB placed the October 19 inspection report before the High Court at the last date of hearing on November 7 last in the PIL filed by Prof Antonio Alvares.
For, the October 19 inspection carried out by the GSPCB team along with officials of the Margao Municipality and SIDCGL had revealed that the state of affairs, with sewage waters finding its way into the storm water nallahs and drains, finally finding its way into the river Sal.
Be it the storm water nallah passing by the side of the district Collectorate building to the Old market nallah, Karebandh nallah etc, they were all found carrying sewage and waste water into the river Sal.
In fact, a GSPCB official had maintained that a septic tank inside the district Collectorate building was found overflowing, before the water found its way into the adjoining storm water nallah.
