Team Herald
CURCHOREM: Some residents from Condi in Quepem found dead fish in the rivulet at Condi-Quepem on Friday morning. According to locals they found the dead fish for the first time as they reached the rivulet to catch fish like they do every day. “The water from septic/soak pits of the two buildings in the Quepem main market which are overflowing directly enter the irrigation canal since it is a low-lying area and as the rivulet water passes near the canal there is a possibility water entered resulting in the fish dying”, said a local. He demanded the authorities like town planning, municipality and health to inspect it immediately to avoid further damages.
Speaking to Herald, Vice-President of Quepem Senior Citizen Committee Evangelisto Da Costa revealed that at the end of the canal there is a 20 meters deep and 20 meters long tunnel which exists under the rivulet which is connected to the other side canal to help pass canal water and which was built during the Portuguese era. “There could be a leakage in the tunnel which allow the water to go in the rivulet and since the canal water is polluted the fish started dying now.” said DaCosta. He held the concerned authorities responsible as they brought the pollution of the canal water to their notice on many occasions.
Local ward Councillor of Condi ward Amol Kanekar said the he had brought the issue of over flowing of septic tanks in the council meetings number of times but the authorities are not serious about it and waiting for major tragedy to occur.
It may be recalled that Herald in May this year had highlighted the issue polluting of water as the septic/soak pit water was entering the canal. When the issue was brought to the notice by the locals, Herald contacted the WRD Engineers who looks after the canal at Quepem including chairperson of Quepem Municipal Council and Quepem Health Officer who had assured to solve the issue but till now nothing had happened and the now fish started dying. Hope now at least they act.
