TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The government has admitted that sewerage disposal is a huge problem in the State due to growing urbanization, though it is undertaking projects to cover major towns and rural areas with sewerage networking.
Quoting 2011 census, the recently released economic survey 2013-14 states that 63 per cent of the State is urbanized and needs well knit sewerage networks as majority of the population are still dependent on traditional septic tanks and soak pit for disposal of waste water.
Health hazards such as contamination of ground water and drinking water is due to lack of adequate soaking capacity of the soil and letting out waste water in open drains due to growing urbanization, says the report.
The economic survey discloses some of the major sewerage projects undertaken during 2013 which includes construction of 250 single seater pour flush water seal toilets in Velim constituency at the cost of Rs 16.83 lakh. Similar toilets have been constructed at Navelim, Telaulim, Dicarpale, and surrounding areas at the cost of Rs 19.72 lakh. In the north, 200 such toilets were also constructed in Aldona constituency at the cost of Rs 40 lakh.
As far as rural sanitation is concerned, construction of 300 single seater pour flush water seal toilets were constructed in Priol constituency at the cost of Rs 33 lakh and 300 similar toilets in Ponda constituency at the cost of Rs 32.77 lakh.
While much still remains to be done on the sanitation front, the economic survey indicates better coverage of both urban and rural areas under its water supply systems. Major works for upgradation, improvement, augmentation and replacement of lines to improve water supply to the populace has been achieved in 2013. Areas such as Fatorda, Farmagudi, Priol and Calangute have been covered under better water supply systems, reveals the report.
Likewise in rural areas, the report states that the average supply levels in villages in 82 LPCD as against 40 LPCD as per norms of government of India for rural areas. Those rural areas which have seen upgradation, augmentation, improvement via replacement in distribution lines includes Bambolim, St Andre, Dhargal and Ponda.
