MARGAO
As this group of farmers from Chandrawaddo-Fatorda brace up to cultivate their fields in the ensuing season, they seemed to keep their fingers crossed on whether they will have to again grapple with sewage waters, besides animal waste disposed of in their agricultural fields.
In fact, with sewage from the Margao sewerage line devastating their cultivated fields year after year, leaving them with poor yield and losses, the farmers are hoping against hope that their agricultural fields will be free from the sewage waters and animal carcass this season.
When The Goan team descended on the agricultural fields on Tuesday, the beleaguered farmers only recalled how the sewage waters flowing from the Margao underground sewerage line has devastated their fields year after year.
Besides sewerage, the farmers have to contend with meat waste dumped in the fields by unscrupulous travellers on the Eastern bypass. They also claimed that animal carcasses are dumped in the fields.
The common complaint made by the beleaguered farmers is simple “ since the government is appealing to the people not to keep their fields fallow, the authorities should come to their rescue and bail them out by at least plugging the sewage chambers from overflowing into their fields.
Says Agostinho Dias: “During rains, the sewage chambers overflow and the sewage water finds its way in our fields. Agricultural labourers refuse to enter the fields. We could also feel the brunt of the sewage waters as we get boils on our legs when we enter the fields.”
He added: “Every year we make it a point to cultivate the fields, but the yield has been dwindling over the years. The authorities should ensure the sewage chambers are plugged so that the overflowing water does not enter our fields.”
Cristalina Dias echoed similar sentiments. “We put in hard work and spend money to raise the crop, but in the end, our fields get devastated by the sewage water. This should stop immediately,” she added.
Another farmer Paulina Dias said the farmers have to grapple with the chicken waste being dumped in the fields by unscrupulous elements.
“At times we find it difficult to enter the fields since the chicken and animal waste is dumped eight at the entrance. We only hope the authorities take cognizance of our grievances,” she added.
Sources in the know pointed out that sewage chambers have been overflowing over the years with the North Main Trunk line lying damaged. PWD officials say the overflowing sewage chamber will be a thing of the past only after commissioning the new north main line, work on which is underway in Fatorda.
