MARGAO: Taking serious note of sewage continuing to flow into the Bhokti Khandi lake, farmers from Nuvem have sent a gentle reminder to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant of his promise to resolve the issue by the end of May this year.
Last December, the Chief Minister, in the presence of officials and the people of Nuvem, had assured the farmers that the works of the North-Main sewage pipeline would be completed by May 2022, and thereafter the issue of discharging sewage into the Bhokti Khandi lake in Nuvem, besides into the River Sal would be resolved.
There are now a mere 40 days left before the deadline to complete the works of the North-Main Sewage pipeline, which is currently in progress.
Speaking to media persons Nuvem farmer Simplicio Colaso made it a point to remind the Chief Minister of the assurance given last December.
“Yes, the discharge of raw sewage into the Bhokti Khand lake continues, and there are no efforts from any government authority to stop it or find another way so that the lake is not contaminated further. Several farmers have already stopped cultivation due to the pollution in the lake,” he stated.
He further said they used to have baths in the lake and also engaged in fishing activities.
“CM had assured the farmers last December when he visited the site, but nothing has been done till the date. We don’t know if the promise will be fulfilled as the deadline is approaching,” he stated.
Local resident Floriano Colaso said that the Bhokti Khandi lake has been completely polluted and it is risky to even enter it.
Several farmers from the Nuvem are waiting to restart farming activities in the Bhokti Khanddi Lake, once the issue of releasing the sewage into it is resolved.
At the time of inspection, the Chief Minister had admitted that the sewage flowing into the Bhokti Khandi is due to the linkage in the sewage pipeline at Danvoddem, Fatorda.
He had said that the issue will be resolved only after the work of the new North-Main sewage pipeline is completed and it will get done by May 2022.
The CM was confident that other issues related to sewage water flowing into River Sal will also be resolved once the pipeline is completed.
