Pumping stations will pump sewage into underground line: Minister
PWD Minister Digambar Kamat launching the vacuum sewer technology at the low lying Kharelem-Khareband area to resolve the sewage issue plaguing the area.
MARGAO
The long-delayed implementation of a vacuum sewerage system was launched on Thursday in the low-lying Khareband–Kharelem area of the state’s commercial capital, marking a significant step toward addressing perennial sewage issues in the town.
The project aims to channelize sewage generated by households in these low-lying areas and prevent untreated wastewater from flowing into the Sal river. In the absence of underground sewer lines, storm water nullahs in these localities have long been carrying untreated sewage and waste directly into the river, leading to severe contamination.
PWD Minister Digambar Kamat inaugurated the Rs 21.60 crore project, which will connect Kharelem–Khareband to the existing underground sewerage network. “Once completed, the vacuum sewerage system at Khareband will stop the flow of untreated water into the Sal river. Pumping stations will be used to pump sewage from low-lying areas into the underground line,” Kamat said.
He emphasized the importance of the project, noting that the vacuum technology would curb the discharge of untreated sewage and wastewater into the river through nullahs.
“This is the first of four such projects planned for low-lying areas, including Calconda, Malbhat, Gandhi Market, and Aquem, under the vacuum sewer technology initiative by the Sewerage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa,” Kamat added.
The contractor has been given 240 days to complete the work.
Highlighting the broader impact, Kamat said the project would benefit households in low-lying areas that cannot be connected to the existing gravity-based sewer network.
Kamat added; “Areas that would benefit from the technology includes the low-lying houses, which cannot be connected to the existing gravity-based sever network, necessitating an alternative technology to prevent illegal sewage discharge as per the High Court directions”.
While thanking Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for granting approval for the project, the PWD Minister cautioned that the High Court is closely monitoring the vacuum sewer technology project and underscored the need to complete the project on time.
