Paul Carvalho
CURCHOREM: Some families living near the irrigation canal in the main market, behind the Bank of India at Quepem, have been facing risk to health due to foul smell emanating from the septic tanks of the two commercial-cum-residential buildings situated near the canal.
Speaking to Herald Umesh Netravalkar, who resides near the canal informed that the septic/soak pits of the two buildings in the area are overflowing and since it is a low-lying area, the water goes down directly in the irrigation canal, thus polluting the water, which results in unbearable smell.
We had complained to the authorities including Quepem health office and Quepem Municipal Council several times, but no action had been taken yet. Now we are fed up about repeatedly complaining to the authorities for the last many months, he pointed out.
Since the polluted water remains stagnant at some places in the residential-cum-commercial area of the market and the remaining flows in the canal, it becomes public nuisance and is dangerous for people’s health, as some labourers use canal water for cleaning, washing and even to have bath and there is a fear of outbreak of various vector-borne disease in the area, he said.
Admitting they had received a complaint, Quepem Municipal Council Chief Raul Pereira said that they had discussed the issue in the council meetings but the ward councillor demands to have a Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) at the site.
“I had assured him to make funds available to construct the STP but asked him to give sufficient place/land for the purpose which he is failed to do so,” Pereira said, adding members of the societies of the buildings and builders blame each other and as a result the general public suffers. Pereira warned if the members failed to resolved the issue at the earliest he will direct the PWD to disconnect the water connections to both the buildings.
Even after repeated attempts ward councillor Manuel Collasso could not be contacted as he did not take the call.
When contacted the WRD Executive Engineer K Ravindran directed to contact E Halgatti of WRD Division XII who said that it comes under the Executive Engineer of Work Division II at Rawanfond, Margao Executive Engineer Ankush Gaonkar.
When the matter was brought to his notice, Gaonkar said that he has taken the charge recently and he has not received any complaint in that regard and assured to send his junior engineer at the site and prepare the report and accordingly to initiate action.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that a new building which is coming up in the same area is using canal water for the construction purpose. Residents are saying that the authorities are turning a blind eye and have demanded strict action against the culprits.
