Calangute sewage problem: Fisherfolk demand action

Calangute: Fishermen at Saunta Vaddo, Calangute, who dock their fishing boats at the Baga jetty, have raised concerns over sewage discharge from more than 15 food stalls in the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) food court causing health hazards and pollution near the Baga river.
They said the unauthorised sewage tanks in the food court are overflowing, and waste is being dumped near fishing boats.
The issue was also discussed during a gram sabha of the Calangute panchayat on Sunday.
Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira said that wastewater from toilets of the tourism department pay-toilets is also flowing on the roads at Calangute and Baga. However, contractors appointed by the tourism department manage the pay toilets and parking, so the village panchayat cannot intervene, he said.
The sarpanch added that they have informed the tourism department, but no action has been forthcoming. “The tourism department is not bothered about Calangute,” he said.