PANAJI
The Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) of 15 MLD capacity proposed to be constructed at Undir village in Ponda taluka is being stiffly opposed by residents there and is seen as a test of political skills for Power Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar, who has been representing the area as its MLA for over two decades.
The project was first proposed back in 2015 elsewhere but relocated to the site at Undir where a massive parcel of land measuring some 34,000-odd square metres has been acquired.
Locals however are opposing the project citing environmental reasons as much of the land has mangroves, proximity to their homes and potential health hazards. It also will require the felling of over a 100 trees.
They have formed the "Undir Surakshan Manch" to oppose the project and have held multiple public meetings and presented their concerns to Dhavalikar as well. They have also vowed to take the battle to the courts if the government goes ahead with the project, according to Mukund Naik who heads the manch.
The standoff flared up last year when officials were preparing to start the work of felling the trees. Naik said, villagers will not permit the cutting of the trees unless they are clearly demarcated first and the threat of flooding during the monsoon is not addressed.
According to Naik, their protest against the project has been ongoing since 2016.
Dhavalikar on his part declined to go into the details and nitty-gritties of the issues being raised about the project by the locals who accuse him of pushing for it, save for saying that the STP is essential and in fact a pro-environment necessity.
The Public Works Department (PWD) meanwhile is playing it safe with the government informally having put the brakes on the project.
A senior PWD engineer involved with the project said work can now begin only when the department gets an express 'go ahead' from the government.
