MLAs across party lines flag faulty sewage plants destroying fields

Porvorim: Opposition and ruling MLAs on Tuesday in the assembly flagged the lack of sewerage treatment facilities in Goa, alleging that the faulty design of existing plants is leading to the overflow of sewage across Goa. This is leading to the contamination of agricultural fields, rivers, and areas near schools and hospitals, said leader of opposition Yuri Alemao during a calling attention session. This is creating an environmental and health hazard in the state, he said.

“Raw sewage is seen flowing on Margao roads and in paddy fields very close to the South Goa district hospital. This happened in Comba too due to simultaneous pump failures. It was seen in Honda and Curchorem. In Taleigao, human waste was also seen contaminating the drinking water line. The state spent Rs 1,500 crore on the sewerage network, but what about its upkeep?” said Alemao. He said that the Porvorim STP cost was revised several times, raising it from Rs 210 crore for a 15.3 MLD plant of a 171km network to Rs 37.8 crore now. “Your own economic survey has flagged highly insufficient sewage treatment facilities,” Alemao added.

Velim MLA Cruz Silva said that the Sal is a tragic example of contamination due to raw sewage being directly released into the water body. The Colva STP is a design failure, with the sewage flowing back into the hotels from where it is coming, said Benaulim MLA Venzy Veigas. “It goes into the fields due to the failure of pumps and wrong planning not suitable to the contour,” Veigas said.

Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said that besides faulty design, the sewerage lines are also getting choked with sanitary pads and other waste. “It is people’s mistake, but it is up to govt to raise awareness. Also, pre-monsoon check-ups of sewers are not carried out at present, which is causing them to overflow. This can cause a plague in the future,” said Sardesai. He said the Curchorem STP has come up near the Ganesh visarjan site.

Margao MLA Digambar Kamat said that the present STP in Margao is insufficient to cater to the area. Chief minister Pramod Sawant said that 14 STPs are operational in Goa at present, with over 200MLD capacity and DG power back-up. He said that besides the 81 staff members looking after the sewerage corporation, another 400 are deployed for better functioning. New plants of Rs 383 crore in Porvorim, Rs 200 crore in Margao, Rs 293 crore in Navelim, and Rs 44 crore in Taleigao are coming up.

He said that people should also be aware that tracking of sewage tankers using a GPS system and colour coding them has started. “If any tanker is not of mustard yellow colour, then do not allow them to take your sewage. We will seize any tankers illegally transporting sewage and dumping it. We have also started app-based tanker booking for sewage. If there is any fault with the existing network, it will get addressed,” said Sawant.