MARGAO
After years of struggle by the farmers of Nuvem that sewage from the Bhogti Tollem has left their fields inundated by sewage discharge from neighbouring Fatorda, the Sewage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa (SIDCGL) has claimed to have finally completed the sewerage works plugging the sewage.
The beleaguered farmers got a big relief after the SIDCGL and the PWD, Sewerage submitted before the Deputy Collector, Margao, Ganesh Barve that the sewage works executed to plug the sewage flow stands completed.
At the final hearing conducted by the Deputy Collector, Margao, the officials submitted that the work completion statement has been issued based on the completion of the work.
Nuvem villager Everson Valles, who attended the hearing before the Deputy Collector, Margao, along with the beleaguered farmers told the media that the farmers have finally got a big relief with the SIDCGL completing the sewage works.
In fact, Everson thanked officials of the government agencies for having completed the sewage works, adding that the farmers now look forward to the Water Resources Department in commencing the water harvesting at Bhogti Tollem in October-November. “For over seven years now, the water harvesting could not take place at the Bhogti Tollem due to rampant flow of sewage water into the water body. We now look forward to the Water Resources Department to commence the water harvesting at the earliest and make water available for irrigation of fields,” he added.
Beleaguered farmers of Nuvem had been waging a sustained battle, demanding a stop to the rampant discharge of sewage from the Margao sewage line into the water body.
These farmers have been cultivating the rabi crop with waters from the Bhogti Tollem over the years. In mid-December last year, the farmers had demanded to know from the government as to how many years will it take the agencies to plug the rampant flow of sewage into the Bhogti Tollem.
In fact, the farmers had last year claimed that they had stopped cultivating the rabi crop for lack of water to irrigate the fields since they cannot close the sluice gate out of fear of complaints from local residents that sewage odour emanates from the water body.
Authorities descend at Khareband Bridge to inspect River Sal amid complaints of effluents discharge
MARGAO: A team of officials representing various agencies headed by Margao Deputy Collector, Ganesh Barve descended at the Khareband Bridge, Margao, to verify complaints of effluents discharged into the River Sal.
The team conducted the inspection from the old Khareband Bridge to check the ground reality in view of the complaint received by the Deputy Collector’s office.
Barve told the media that the inspection was conducted specifically to check the discharge of effluents into the River Sal. He said officials of the Water Resources Department have taken cognisance of the contents of the complaint and have initiated appropriate action in the matter.
Discharge of sewage and effluents have contaminated the River Sal, especially along the stretch passing through Fatorda and Margao. In fact, River Sal is being categorised as one of the most polluted rivers of Goa due to the rampant discharge of sewage and effluents into the river.
