Overflow near St Inez junction forces pumping of waste into night-soil tankers
PANAJI
Even though the new underground sewerage line built under the ‘Smart City’ project is not yet fully commissioned, PWD officials said it has already been connected to the old sewerage network at several places. As a result, blockages are being reported.
One of the problem areas is near the T-junction at the St Inez cemetery. Sewage has been collecting there and is being pumped into night-soil tankers and taken to the Sewage Treatment Plant at Tonca.
Sewage is also being pumped out from manholes at other locations. However, Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL) has claimed that this is only part of “routine maintenance” and that there is no sewage overflow anywhere in the city.
In a related matter, Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Commissioner Clen Madeira has issued a notice to a housing society near the St Inez junction, asking it to fix overflowing sewage chambers in its premises.
In his January 5 notice to the chairman and secretary of the Kamat Arcade Cooperative Housing Society, Madeira said a CCP sanitary inspector inspected the site and confirmed that the sewage chambers were overflowing.
Invoking sections 165 and 166 of the CCP Act, he directed the society to fix the problem within seven days. Failing this, the CCP will report the matter to the Health Officer, Urban Health Centre, Panaji, to disconnect water and electricity supply to the building under the Goa Public Health Act, 1985.
IPSCDL denies sewage overflow
PANAJI: Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) has denied reports of sewage overflow in the city. It said it is currently cleaning and carrying out commissioning work on the new sewerage network. In a statement, IPSCDL said the work includes cleaning new sewer pipelines and manholes. These are routine and compulsory steps before any new sewerage system is started. The agency said this does not mean there is any failure or sewage overflow, as claimed in public reports.
IPSCDL also said it is sealing newly built manholes to stop groundwater from entering the system during the monsoon. Chief General Manager Eduardo Pereira said there is no danger to the city’s drinking water because of the ongoing works. “All activities are being carried out in a planned and controlled manner, under technical supervision and as per engineering standards,” he said. IPSCDL added that the new sewerage line at St Inez has not yet been commissioned.
