Expansion of sewage treatment plant at Sirvodem opposed

MARGAO, NOV 14
Demanding scrapping of the land acquisition process to acquire fields for the expansion of Margao sewage treatment plant at Sirvodem, Navelim villagers on Sunday have resolved to write to the Margao Municipal Council to stop to the discharge of city’s sewage into the once picturesque Saipem Lake.
The gram sabha have also resolved to protect the River Sal from further pollution. A proposal was mooted to save the eco-sensitive areas on the banks of the river and to dredge the river to curb pollution.
While opposing the land acquisition process to acquire the fields for the expansion of the sewage treatment plant, the gram sabha tabled a resolution to implement the National Farmer’s policy in the village and to scrap the land acquisition process.
The gram sabha expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the River Sal with members demanding urgent action to protect the river, the eco sensitive zones and its tributaries.
Sarpanch Paul Pereira later told newsmen that the Panchayat would write to the Margao Municipal Chief Officer to stop the discharge of Margao’s sewage into the Saipem lake.
“The Panchayat would ask for a joint inspection with the Margao Civic body to work out a solution to the pollution”, he added.
He said the gram sabha has further resolved to ask the landlords to register their tenants with the police and the village Panchayat.
The gram sabha members have also asked the Crime branch to dish out crime statistics pertaining to the Navelim village. A similar request would go to the health authorities to provide information on the status of  malaria and other vector borne diseases in the village.
Gram sabha member Sidharth Karapurkar said the members have told the Sarpanch to also request the local MLA to demand early notification of the Regional Plan 2021 and demanded a freeze of construction activity at 50 FAR till the finalization of the plan.
Given that the village is celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Rosary on November 17, the gram sabha members suggested to the Panchayat to place bins in the market place for collection of plastic waste.
Sapranch Pereira later told the members that the Panchayat body in coordination with NGOs will organize a plastic drive on November 30 in the village.