MARGAO
Even as the concerned departments have come under the High Court scanner over the sewage discharge in the Saplem lake, the PWD, sewerage department has come under the lens of the Health department and the Margao Municipal Council, but for a different reason.
An overflowing sewage chamber from an underground sewage line at Ambaji, Fatorda is not only posing nuisance, but a health hazard to the residents staying in the close vicinity.
Taking cognizance of the complaints lodged by the citizens, the Health department had told the PWD, sewerage to rectify the nuisance. Margao Municipal Council Chief Officer Melvyn Vaz has now dashed off a letter to the PWD, sewerage to stop the discharge of sewage from the chamber with immediate effect.
A glance at the site inspection carried out by the Urban Health Centre has revealed that two manholes attached to the PWD sewerage pipeline have been found overflowing, with the sewage water finding its way in the open space/paddy fields, before flowing through the nallah, emitting foul odour.
Asserting that this is a nuisance from Health and Sanitation point of view under section 37 of Goa Public Health Act (Act 25 of 1985), the Margao Urban Health Centre has told the PWD, Sewerage to rectify the above nuisance by taking appropriate measures as may be required and repair the same on priority basis for permanent solution.
Inspection carried out by the Margao Municipal Sanitary inspection also unearthed similar situation with sewage overflowing from two manholes, with the sewage water flowing in the open space and paddy fields.
Notice issued to the PWD, sewerage department by MMC Chief Officer Melvyn Vaz has confirmed that the sewage is emitting foul smell and creating a health hazard and also causing contamination in nearby water bodies.
