PWD Minister calls for solution to land issues, installation of sewage pumping stations
MARGAO
As work on the Colva Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) and the treated water discharge line is nearing completion, PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral on Friday descended at Colva to seek cooperation of the stakeholders, including the local panchayat body to convince the local stakeholders to apply for the sewage connection.
Nilesh Cabral visited Colva and had an interaction with the Colva Parish Priest and the Colva Sarpanch Suzie Fernandes and panchayat members along with the local Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas to take a review of the Colva sewerage project.
The Minister sought the cooperation of the Parish Priest and the Panchayat to find solution to land issues and pave way for the installation of sewage pumping stations in the village.
The PWD Minister later told the media that he had a meeting with the Parish Priest and the Panchayat members led by the Sarpanch and MLA since the PWD has drawn up plans to install a couple of sewage pumping stations in the village. “Once these pumping stations are installed, the PWD plans to release sewage connection zone wise. Hence, we had a meeting with the Parish Priest and the panchayat members,” he said.
To a question, the PWD Minister pointed out that he would like the local panchayat body to take the initiative to convince the households and the tourism stakeholders to apply and obtain the sewage connection. “I would like to inform the Colva panchayat body and the stakeholders that the Colva STP matter is being monitored by the High Court. I am trying my level best to convince the stakeholders to obtain the permissions. A stage should not come wherein the High Court takes cognizance of the situation and the PWD is forced to file an affidavit that the stakeholders are not obtaining connections,” he said, adding ‘before the High Court issues any directions for the disconnection of water supply to the establishments, it is in the interest of everybody that stakeholders apply for the connections’.
The PWD Minister sought to allay the apprehensions raised in certain quarters that the 7.5MLD will also cater to the sewage generated in neighbouring villages.
