the goan I network
MARGAO
Residents of Sirvodem ward of Margao Municipal Council cried foul over the rampant discharge of sewage waste in storm water drains, which they claimed has inundated a football ground.
They blamed the council for failing to plug the discharge and mandate the households and commercial establishments to go for sewerage connections.
The residents led by BJP leader Sharmad Raiturkar set an eight-day deadline on the civic body and the government to address the issue on top-most priority, warning that the local council and the elected representatives will be solely responsible for any untoward incident arising out of the issue.
Sharmad pointed out that sewage odour and accumulation of sewage water on the playground and the fields have left the residents with no option but to stop using the ground for recreation.
“I feel that the Margao municipality should invoke the provisions of the Public Health Act to crack a whip against the establishments discharging the sewage waste in the drains and nullahs. The government has commissioned two sewage treatment plants at Sirvodem, but local residents have to bear the stink for want of connecting all the households and commercial establishments to the sewerage network,” he said.
When the media asked whether the BJP-led government is to be blamed for the overflowing septic tanks and discharge of sewage through the drains, Sharmad said the government cannot alone be blamed and those who broke coconuts to claim credit for launching any projects should also share the blame for the failure to get the households connected to the sewage network.
Replying to a question, he said the residents will submit a memorandum to the Margao Municipal Council to initiate action in the matter.
“After eight days, we will bring the issue to the notice of the Urban Development Minister and also resort to direct action in the ward,” Sharmad warned.
He added that there was no politics behind his decision to take up cudgels for the residents of Sirvodem.
