MARGAO
Sewage discharge into storm water nullahs and drains has once again become a concern in the commercial capital, with malfunctioning pumps at the sewage treatment plant blamed for the problem.
Sewage from an underground line has been flowing into the storm water nullah near Hospicio South Goa District Hospital and at Comba along the Margao ring road. The sewage then makes its way into the River Sal.
When the media raised the issue with PWD Minister Digambar Kamat at a public darbar at the South Goa Collectorate on Friday, the Minister initially said he was unaware of the sewage discharge. However, after seeking clarification from an official, the official admitted that sewage was flowing into the storm water nullah due to non-functioning pumps at the sewage treatment plant.
The official said the problem was being addressed on a war footing and would be resolved completely after new pumps are installed at the plant.
Last year too, sewage backflow was reported in low-lying areas of the city after a technical fault affected the pumps at the sewage treatment plant. Meanwhile, despite the government promising to set up mini sewage treatment plants along the River Sal through Margao and Fatorda, the project is yet to take off.
