the goan I network
MAPUSA
An institute looking after destitute children at Paliem-Ucassaim has been directed to cover its soak tank and stop nuisance created by the foul smell inconveniencing locals in the neighbourhood.
The health officer of Aldona Primary Health Centre (PHC) has issued a notice directing the in charge of the institute to abate the nuisance created by the soak tank by taking remedial measure within 30 days and file a compliance report.
“The soak tank is not covered properly and further, you are withdrawing water from the soak tank and using for gardening which is emitting foul smell. As per Section 2 (22) of The Goa Public Health Act 1985 & Rules 1987 this is classified as nuisance,” said Health Officer Dr Manish Gaunekar in his report.
The Aldona Primary Health Centre had recently conducted an inspection of the institute after receiving a complaint from a local, Chetan Bandodkar. In his complaint, the local said the institute in charge has failed to build a proper soak pit and instead pumped the dirty water from the septic tank to use it as manure for the plants. “The smell of the water is so foul that we find it difficult to live around. It subsides after an hour or so but for that one hour the smell is unbearable,” Bandodkar told The Goan.
The institute has been home to around 45 destitute children and was functioning from the place for the last several years. Locals said this problem has happened from the time there was change in guard and the new incharge had taken over the ashram. “The institute is doing yeoman service to the society and we definitely don’t demand its closure. Our only request is to put adequate system in place so that the nuisance is stopped,” Bandodkar, who lives in the vicinity of the institute, said.
The institute incharge, Fr Joe Fernandes, informed that steps were being taken to bring in hydro engineers and stop the foul smell.
“What we are doing here is wastewater management. But unfortunately, we couldn’t stop the smell. We are working on it. We have contacted some engineers who will guide us,” Fr Fernandes said.
THE COMPLAINT
A local says, in a complaint, an institute looking after destitute children at Paliem-Ucassaim has failed to build a proper soak pit and instead pumped the dirty water from the septic tank to use it as manure for the plants. Residents allege, for at least an hour everyday, the area would have to suffer from the stench
The institute claims it was trying to recycle the wastewater as part of wastewater management . However, it failed to address the issue of emanating foul smell
The health officer of Aldona Primary Health Centre (PHC) has issued a notice directing the in charge of the institute to abate the nuisance created by the soak tank by taking remedial measure within 30 days and file a compliance report
