Candolim farmers hit out at p’yat over sewage pollution, say complaints ignored

Calangute: Large hotels and under-construction projects in Bamonwaddo, Candolim have been allegedly discharging raw sewage into nullahs flowing through agricultural fields, causing pollution, local farmers have said. They claim the issue persists despite complaints to authorities.

Local farmer Piedade D’Souza said, “The sarpanch and ward members had come and promised that they would do something, but nothing has been done. When they give building licences, they should tell them not to release sewage in the fields. The hotel management don’t bring sewage tankers, they just release it their into the fields. Don’t they have money to hire tankers? The area smells like a toilet. When I walk in the field, I get sores on my feet because of the chemicals. All this development is going on at our cost.”

He added, “The MLA had come and said vegetables will be supplied to hotels as organic produce. The village panchayat keeps saying they encourage farming, but they should look into this pollution. Last year we had complained to Goa State Pollution Control Board, the village panchayat and health department, after which hotel operations were stopped, but they have resumed. The panchayat keeps issuing construction licences, but they should consider carrying capacity.”

Following media inquiries, Candolim primary health centre health officer Dr Roshan Nazareth said officials inspected the site on Tuesday after receiving a complaint. “It's sewage treatment plant treated water. We got it stopped. No smell anywhere. My staff went all over the place today the whole morning.”