PANAJI
Admitting the possibility of discharge of untreated sewage into sea water by beach shacks, the State Environment department has decided to set up temporary, small capacity localised sewage treatment plants (STPs) along the coastal belt for effective management of sewage by beach shack operators.
Speaking to media persons on Monday, Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral said that the department has written to the State Sewerage Corporation, who will issue tender shortly, for empanelment of contractors for a period of six years to set up 2 KLD to 15 KLD STPs on beach belts based on the shack load.
“These are going to be temporary, localised STPs that will operate till May 15, every year and would be dismantled after that only to set up again for the next tourist season,” Cabral said.
Cabral said “there has been news in the media with regards to our beaches not being safe…this is also one of the causes where raw sewage water goes directly into sea…through these STPs we want to ensure effective management of sewage and ensure that it doesn't go into sea”.
He said that this year, the shack operators have not been given permission for soak pits to ensure that sewerage does not go into the sea.
The Minister informed that with each shack generating on an average four tons of sewage daily, practically it becomes impossible for the panchayats or local bodies to put in so much infrastructure for its treatment.
Cabral explained that the outflow from each shack will be connected to these STPs and outflow meters would be set up based on which the shack operators would be charged.
He said that the system will be operational for beach shacks first, followed by private shacks. Cabral said that the Chief Minister has already granted its approval for setting up STPs. “This is a long pending issue and I am just trying to find a permanent solution to it,” the Minister said.
This year, the Tourism department has allowed 364 beach shacks that include 259 in North Goa and 105 in South. The shacks have been allotted based on Goa Coastal Zone management Authority (GCZMA) approval.
Cabral said that the department has written to the tourism department to apply for Consent to Establish with the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), on behalf of all 364 beach shacks rather than individual applications. “Individual shack operators can apply for consent to operate later,” he said.
