MARGAO: The callous attitude of the Public Works Department is likely to cause harm to the farmers from Raia as they attempt to cultivate their fields during the monsoon. The prevailing sludge that was formed by the sewerage leaking from the manhole will mix with the monsoon water and spread all over increasing the risk of causing all kinds of diseases to those working in the fields
It may be recalled that as sewerage was leaking from a manhole near the Arlem junction in the month of March, Farmers Club of Raia complained to various authorities including the Primary Health Centre Loutolim who inspected the site on 4th March 2017.
Following the inspection the Primary Health Centre wrote a letter to the Executive Engineer of PWD dated 6th March pointing out that sewage water was draining into the fields and further pointed out that this was “nuisance” under the Goa Public Health Act.
Subsequently on 9th March 2017 the Primary Health Centre held another inspection and vide letter dated 9th March 2017 informed the PWD that there is no stagnation but asked the PWD to clear the dry sludge existing therein and to inform compliance.
However, till date the PWD has not bothered to remove the sludge nor reply to the either of the letters issued by the Primary Health Centre.
Officials of the Primary Health Centre said they did not follow up as it was presumed that the PWD had carried out the given instructions particularly since the Raia Farmers Club did not bother to complain further.
Rosario Fernandes, Raia Farmers Club President said that since the PWD had cleared the sewerage line by replacing the pipe, they did not deem it necessary to complain about the non removal of the sludge.
The sludge that remains is formed from the waste of the sewerage line that escaped in the field and will mix up with the rain water once the monsoons start and spread all over the fields thereby endangering those working in the fields with all kinds of diseases and illnesses.
