Team Herald  

Margao:  The area in Aquem, Margao near the railway overpass is a major health hazard. Piles of garbage have  accumulated near the rickshaw stand, next to the overpass ramp and along the railway wall. Raw sewerage is flowing through the nulla next to the motorcycle pilot stand. In spite of all this, the authorities are turning a blind eye.Herald inspected the site and discovered that one of the sources of sewage that is flowing into the nulla is from the Margao’s sewerage system. There is a sewerage chamber next to the motorcycle pilot stand. An 8-10 inch sewerage pipe has been connected to the chamber that discharges raw sewage into the nulla. The motorcycle pilots informed herald that during monsoon, a lot of sewage flows into the nulla.

There is also a storm drain that connects to the main null. Raw sewage was flowing along the strom drain. Shockingly, a restaurant is operating on top of the Nulla. The pilots complained that there is mosquetoes in the area and they fear that they will contract malaria or dengue.With regards to the garbage, most of the garbage piled up was waste food, plastic cups and gutka packets. The rickshaw drivers and pilots informed that sanitation officers inspect and clean the place. They said that the local councillor, Avinash Shirodkar doesn’t care about what is happening here.

Herald visited the Sanitation section in the Margao Municipality. The officer under anonymity said that they are helpless since there are not allowed to do anything.Illegal Restaurants serving unhygienic food

Several gaddas and restaurants are operating illegally near the eastern wall of railway station in Aquem. Many of the restaurants are gaddas that have encroached on the surrounding land by erecting sheds and setting up tables.

Herald visited the cooking areas of these restaurants and was shocked to discover the filthy conditions in which the cooks prepare food. In one restaurant, a vessel with cooked rice was kept on the floor. Water was stored in blue plastic drums which are usually used for chemicals. Their source of water was unknown. In another restaurant, the cut onions and other vegetables were kept on a shelf just above the ground and surrounded with bits of waste food, egg shells etc. The kitchen area was filthy wherein new paper was used as a tablecloth on which the gas stove, knives, chapatti rollers etc was kept. The floor was wet with stagnated water and bits of vegetables.The restaurant owners admitted that they did not have FDA license but claimed they had a municipal trade license. However, the municipal officials denied granting any of the trade license.There were other hand carts selling fruits and tender coconut on the road. A couple of people were selling tobacco items and pan on plastic tables.All of these illegalities are happening in the open but no authorities are taking any action.