Candolim p’yat proposes Centre-funded sewage plant

Calangute: Candolim panchayat has proposed building a sewage treatment plant (STP) with central govt funds.

At the Candolim panchayat’s gram sabha, sarpanch Blaize Fernandes announced the STP will be built along the Nerul-Sinquerim river.

“We have only one night-soil tanker, which cannot handle all calls as it empties sewage at the Panaji or Baga STP. So, we have decided to build a dedicated STP for Candolim,” Fernandes said.

The 2025-26 budget proposals of Rs 24.1 crore were discussed, and villagers raised various issues. Village development committee member Anthony D’Souza pointed out that the panchayat vehicle towing team has been fining tourists for roadside parking despite the absence of no-parking signs in the village.

D’Souza also said that local buses still stop wherever they want instead of designated bus stops.

Villagers highlighted haphazard development, with buildings lacking access roads, and urged the panchayat to verify before issuing construction licenses. They also said many buildings skip parking provisions and use the space for commercial establishments instead.

The sarpanch also said he had urged the electricity department to remove dangling cable TV and broadband wires from poles.

“We don’t know which cables are active or discarded. We removed some, but residents complained about internet issues. We have written to the electricity department to identify discarded cables, but they have not acted yet,” he said.