Say inspections serve no purpose; menace exists since 2008
TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Health officials on Tuesday confirmed that a co-operative housing complex at Vaswaddo-Benaulim was discharging sewage water in the storm water drain, but beleaguered residents of the area wondered whether the inspection will put a stop to the nuisance since they have been waging a relentless battle against the menace for over a decade now.
Angry residents stopped the inspection team of the Cansaulim Primary Health Centre from leaving the venue, demanding to know whether any action will be forthcoming from the authorities against the housing society. “The local residents have been battling the menace since 2008. The storm water drain has become a perfect ground for mosquito breeding”, Allwyn Goes told the inspection team, while demanding stern action to put a stop to the menace.
Even as the medical officer confirmed that a notice will be issued to the housing society for discharging sewage in the open drain, the residents said they have only heard the authorities promising action, but the ground reality remains unchanged till date.
Incidentally, though the health department enjoys vast powers under the Public Health Act to crack a whip against the nuisance, the medical officer said the PHC will refer the housing society matter to the Goa State Pollution Control Board for necessary action.
Incidentally, local residents produced a file of correspondence they had been making to the health officials and Benaulim panchayat since 2008. A perusal of the file revealed that the inspections had unravelled the blatant discharge of sewage water and overflowing soakpits from the society.
In fact, a GSPCB inspection on January 31, 2012, had revealed that a pipe was used to discharge sewage water from the housing complex into a nullah leading to a pond. The compost pit of the complex was full of biodegradable and non biodegradable waste for want of segregation, prompting the Pollution Board to issue directions to the housing society to put things in order within seven days or face action. “We have been running from pillar to post since 2008. We are just waiting for the authorities to act or we plan to knock the doors of the judiciary for justice”, Allwyn Goes said.
