MARGAO
The High Court has asked the Public Works Department (PWD) to render all possible cooperation to the Margao Municipal Council to bring about a solution to the issue of discharge of sewage into the city drains and storm water nullahs.
The High Court made the observation when the petitioner in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) Antonio Alvares submitted to the court that he was apprised by the MMC that it does not have proper planning of the gutters.
The Counsel for the MMC told the court that the civic body is coordinating with the PWD so that the issue can be suitably solved.
Petitioner Alvares stated that there is also an issue of residents of slum areas discharging untreated sewage. To this, the MMC counsel stated that even the issue of discharge of untreated sewage by the slum area will also be solved.
The Court was informed that a status report has been filed on August 1, 2022. The Counsel for the Goa State Pollution Control Board - Respondent has stated that the board has also filed its compliance report, adding that a copy of a such report has been given to the petitioner Antonio, who appeared in person.
The High Court had granted four weeks for the various agencies including the Margao Municipal Council and PWD to work out a solution to the rampant discharge of sewage in the open gutters and drains which later finds its way into the water bodies of the neighbouring villages.
While the Margao Municipal Council had later issued notices on the housing societies and residential buildings to plug the discharge, a concrete solution has not been forthcoming from the agencies to date.
