MARGAO
Expressing concern over the discharge of sewage and garbage into river Sal, Water Resources Department (WRD) Minister Subhash Shirodkar on Monday said he would soon have a meeting with the MLAs of Margao and Fatorda and PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral to discuss how to plug the flow.
The WRD Minister has also mulled action against the violators, saying the local authorities should start issuing notices to the erring establishments involved in discharging waste into the river.
“Garbage and sewage should not flow into the river. It will be my endeavour to ensure that enough safeguards are put in place to plug the sewage and garbage discharge into the river,” he said after a visit to Chinchinim, where he descended on the banks of river Sal.
Referring to the Salpem lake in Navelim which has been devastated by the sewage flow from Margao, the WRD Minister pointed out that the government will soon take up the work of restoration of the lake in the next two months.
"I have told my engineers to work out the details so that the waste is carried to the sewage treatment plant,” he said.
Referring to river Sal pollution raised by Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas and replied to by PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral, Shirodkar has called for a solution to the problem so that the river is restored to its pristine glory.
“Whatever is possible from my side will be done. We have identified some issues and those will be addressed,” he said.
Shirodkar also expressed concern over the damage caused to the river Sal embankment along the stretch.
“I had an occasion to take a ride in the river and to my shock, the bunds of Sal are lying damaged. I will come again for an inspection with my officials before an action plan is prepared to restore the river and its bunds,” he added.
