Damaged underground chamber sparks fresh concerns over public health and sanitation
Sewage overflows from a damaged chamber onto a Colva road, posing a health hazard and causing inconvenience to residents and motorists.
MARGAO
Residents of Colva are once again grappling with a foul sewage odour after a damaged underground sewage chamber began spewing untreated sewage onto a public road and adjoining fields, triggering outrage over the deteriorating condition of the village’s sewage infrastructure ahead of the monsoons.
The overflowing sewage has not only created an unbearable stench in the locality but has also raised serious environmental and public health concerns, with residents alleging that the contaminated water is eventually flowing into the sea.
Local activists Simao Rodrigues and Herald Fernandes visited the site and slammed the sewage department for what they described as poor execution and inadequate maintenance of the underground sewage network laid across the tourist village.
Addressing the media, Rodrigues said the overflowing sewage has contaminated nearby agricultural fields and created immense hardship for residents and commuters.
“The damaged chamber has contaminated the adjoining fields. People crossing the road are facing great inconvenience due to the unbearable sewage odour. The contaminated water is eventually flowing into the sea, which could pose a serious health hazard to fishermen as well as tourists and locals using the beach for swimming,” Rodrigues said.
Questioning the quality of the sewage infrastructure works undertaken in the village, Rodrigues warned that the situation could worsen drastically during the monsoon.
“Residents of Colva had already suffered due to sewage overflow and foul smell during previous monsoons. If this is the condition now, one can only imagine the crisis during heavy rains. It appears the people of Colva are destined to live with sewage odour and unhygienic conditions,” he added.
Herald Fernandes criticised the authorities for their alleged failure to respond promptly despite the seriousness of the situation.
“It is shocking that such a major sewage leak has escaped the attention of the concerned authorities. Why should innocent residents suffer like this?” Fernandes questioned.
Residents have demanded immediate repairs to the damaged sewage chamber and a comprehensive inspection of the underground sewage network before the onset of the monsoon, fearing repeated incidents of sewage overflow could severely impact public health, tourism, and the coastal environment in the village.
