Davondem angry as sewage water contaminates fields, lake and wells

TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO:  When Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar promised on the floor of the House to sanction a new sewage line to replace the ageing underground line passing through Fatorda, Independent MLA Vijai Sardesdai was upbeat that the perennial problem of rampant discharge of sewage in the fields would be a thing of the past.
Saturday saw the Fatorda MLA descending at Davondem ward in his constituency as sewage water found its way into the lush green lake bordering Fatorda and adjoining Nuvem village following continuous discharge of sewage from a manhole. Sewage water was gushing out from the damaged manhole into the low lying areas, drawing protests from Nuvem Zilla Panchayat member Wilfred D’Sa as well. “Parrikar has failed to honour his promise of replacing the old damaged underground sewage line with a new one. Sewage water finding its way into the adjoining fields is indeed a matter of concern as it poses a health hazard,” Vijai told the media.
The Nuvem Zilla member said that people have stopped cultivating the fields around the lake. “This sewage water entering the fields is not a new phenomenon. Our people are not entering the lake for fearing of being affected by a disease. The government should immediately replace the line and save the fields as well,” Wilfred said.
A local resident Lucas Fernandes said the lake has lost its pristine glory with the continuous discharge of sewage into the water body. “Farmers have stopped cultivating the fields. That’s not all. Even animals now do not go near the water because of the foul odour,” he said, while demanding that the government immediately plug the leakages and replace the line.
Herald had earlier this week reported that the PWD has strongly recommended replacement of the ageing 9.2 km underground sewage line from Arlem to Sirvodem as it has outlived its utility. PWD estimates has put the cost of laying a new line at Rs 65 crore.
Meanwhile, residents of Davondem has claimed that their water wells have been left contaminated on account of the sewage disposal. Neelima Naik said that people of the locality has stopped consuming water from the four decade old drinking water well. Shanti Bandodkar said the well has been in existence for 40 years, but lamented that the water stands contaminated with sewage water.