PONDA: The Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) has rejected the claims of PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar and Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar that the PMC is opposing the sewerage treatment plant proposed in its jurisdiction by Sewerage Development Corporation.
Addressing the press on Wednesday, Chairperson Radhika Naik and PMC Sanitation and Health Committee Chairman Venkatesh Naik, who is also a councillor, asked Dhavalikar and Mamledar not to level baseless allegations against the PMC on the STP issue. They stated that they wanted the STP, but they first needed information about the project so that they could satisfy people who were objecting to it.
It may be recalled that while laying the foundation stone for STPs in Kavlem and Curti, Dhavalikar and Mamledar had alleged that despite the need of an STP in Ponda city, the PMC was opposing such projects.
Venkatesh said that the PMC wanted to provide good living conditions, but the people should first be taken into confidence before starting any project. He further stated that the Sewerage Corporation could not undertake its proposed STP project in Varkhandem and Khadpabandh of the municipal area due to strong opposition by locals, fearing pollution and stench in their area. He added that the PMC had asked the Sewerage Corporation to drop the project as there was no permission from the people.
The chairperson added that PWD had done unwanted work on the Kranti Maidan after being issued an NOC by the PMC, and hence, the PMC was being cautious this time by seeking details on the STP before granting it clearance.
