Delay in three-phase electricity connection stalls commissioning of underground wastewater system.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai takes a close look at the de-silting work of the SGPDA storm water nullah.
MARGAO
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on Saturday launched the de-silting work of the SGPDA storm water nullah in Fatorda constituency at an estimated cost of Rs 25 lakh, with a heavy earth moving machinery removing accumulated silt, plastic waste and wild vegetation choking the water channel.
The clean-up operation has visibly improved the condition of the nullah along the market stretch. However, even as the desilting exercise progresses, a far more serious issue continues to remain unresolved — the persistent discharge of untreated wastewater into the SGPDA storm water nullah from PDA mega retail market complex.
The Fatorda MLA took a close look at the de-silting work and must have observed that the SGPDA nullah continued to remain filled with stagnant water despite the ongoing summer season, raising concerns over the continued flow of untreated wastewater into the channel.
Officials said the real problem lies not in the accumulation of silt and vegetation alone, but in the failure to operationalise the underground sewage network constructed in the SGPDA market complex.
The underground sewage infrastructure was laid by the Sewage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) following directions from the High Court. However, despite the completion of the network, the system has not yet been commissioned because the pumping station installed at the market complex is still awaiting a three-phase electricity connection.
According to sources, SIDCGL has been pursuing the matter since January, seeking the required power connection to make the pumping station functional. Without electricity, the sewage network cannot be activated, resulting in thousands of litres of untreated wastewater from the market continuing to flow directly into the storm water nullah.
The issue had also come under the scrutiny of the High Court during the last hearing in April, when counsel representing the SGPDA reportedly assured the court that the PDA would facilitate the required electricity connection for the pumping station.
However, SIDCGL officials stated that the promised three-phase connection has yet to be provided, delaying the commissioning of the underground sewage network.
“As long as the sewage system remains non-functional, untreated wastewater from the mega retail market will continue to enter the storm water nullah and eventually flow into the River Sal,” an official said.
The official added that while the current desilting works have succeeded in clearing plastic waste, sludge and overgrown vegetation from the water channel, the environmental problem would persist unless the sewage network is made operational.
“The nullah may look cleaner after desilting, but the pollution will continue until the wastewater discharge is stopped at source,” the official remarked.
Environmental concerns have also intensified because the SGPDA nullah is connected to the ecologically sensitive River Sal, raising fears over long-term contamination of the river ecosystem.
Officials further pointed out that since MLA Vijai Sardesai is also a member of the SGPDA, he should intervene to ensure that the long-pending three-phase electricity connection is granted immediately so that the pumping station can be commissioned without further delay.
