Team Herald
Panjim: Even though the authorities concerned claimed to have taken steps to control the flow of raw sewage into the public drains and at the doorsteps of the people in Mala, Panjim, the ground reality is far different than the tall claims of the authorities.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The raw sewage continues to flow in the public drains and people continue to live in their residences surrounded by filth and dirt which is posing a major threat to their health.
It is pertinent to note that the Panjim Urban Health Centre and PWD have revealed that a building that houses commercial establishments in Neugi Nagar area has been discharging raw sewage and also there is leakage in a PWD’s sewer line which has led to the raw sewage to flow in the public drains of Mala and through drains it has reached at the doorsteps of the local residents and also it has accumulated under the Mala-Patto Bridge in Rua de Ourém Creek.
“There is no improvement, the situation is as it was before. We can’t even open our windows because of mosquitoes and unbearable stench,” said Shobha Sutar, a resident of Mala.
She said that a team from the health department came, clicked pictures of sewage flowing in their premises, sprayed some chemicals and left.
“The quantum of sewage is so much that spraying chemicals doesn’t help in preventing the breeding of mosquitoes. The sewage water flows right up to the main door during high tide in Rua de Ourém creek. There is no relief. We need a permanent solution,” Sutar added.
Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Deputy Mayor, Sanjeev Naik claimed that necessary steps have been taken by the departments concerned and added that it will take at least four days for the situation to be back to normal.
“Currently, PWD is laying an alternate sewer line which will resolve the issue. Till the time they complete this work, they will clear sewage using a sewage suction truck from the point where it is leaking. It may take three-four days for the situation to be back to normal,” Naik said.
When asked if sewage suction truck will be pressed into service round the clock, the Deputy Mayor said, that “at least twice a day.”
PWD Assistant Engineer RashmiShirodkar didn’t respond to the O Heraldo’s request for a comment on status of work undertaken by her department to lay an alternate sewer line and about other measures to stop the leakage of sewage from PWD’s line.
