NIHARIKA NEUREKER
PANJIM: The highly polluted St Inez creek continues to be a topic debated whenever there are elections, but the result has always been a ‘zero’ with successive governments failing to resolve the issue.
The environmentalists, experts, local councillors and the residents of Panjim have spoken enough expressing serious concern over the stagnation and contamination of the water body. This is also followed by the cleansing of the creek and recommendations to maintain its cleanliness but to no avail.
Armando Gonsalves, who has been using his NGO Goa Forgiving to create awareness on the importance of the creek and help rejuvenate it; has come down heavily on the government over the incorrect bridge position. “There is problem at the start of the creek – at the main D B Marg – which is running across the water front. The defect starts from the start of the bridge because the faulty construction does not allow smooth flow of the water,” he said.
The government, he added accepted the fault but it was too late. “Therefore, they have tendered the reconstruction of the bridge. However, they continue to make excuses to not take up the work,” added Gonsalves.
He further elaborated on how people would benefit through various recreational activities ‘once the healing takes place and the creek will be filled with clean water.’
Former NIO scientist Stephen Dias has put forth a strong stand to raze the illegal constructions at the periphery of the creek. He suggested rehabilitating the residents at the illegal constructions away from the city. “It is also important to stop the illegal dumping of waste and sewage in the fields and the creek. The buildings nearby, which are releasing the sewage directly into the creek should be given a temporary connection until a permanent connection is met,” he said continuing his list of suggestions to the government.
Apprehending dilution of the creek during the upcoming rains, the expert has advised scientific cleaning while the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) should also slap penalty on the defaulters to ensure the creek does not worsen.
CCP former Deputy Mayor Kabir Pinto Makhija commented that a comprehensive plan for restoring, rejuvenating and beautifying the St. Inez creek is the need of the hour. “The encroachments along the banks of the creek should be demolished as they directly discharge sewage into the water body. Also, strict action should be taken against those who dump garbage into the creek,” he added.
