Plug sewage flowing into Sal, says minister

Colva: Water resources department minister Subhash Shirodkar directed officials to begin the cleaning and restoration of the river Sal in a systematic manner, with a focus on using appropriate technologies to bring the river back to its pristine condition. After inspecting the river, he instructed officials to address key issues such as the direct discharge of sewage into the river.

He said that protecting the river, often regarded as the lifeline of Salcete, requires both administrative action and public participation. Shirodkar also stressed the need to cultivate stronger civic responsibility among residents to ensure environmentally responsible practices. He noted that the matter of pollution in the river has been repeatedly raised in the Goa Assembly, prompting his visit following a request from Venzy Viegas, MLA of Benaulim, to assess the situation firsthand.

Viegas said that through his own efforts, several stretches of the river previously affected by garbage dumping and open defecation had already been cleared. He added that simple initiatives had helped curb such practices.