The release of untreated sewage into a freshwater irrigation nullah in Fatorda has raised ques tions over monitoring and enforcement by civic and sewerage authorities, after farmers from Agalli and Murida reported contam ination of fields supplying vegetables to the Margao market. The discharge, which oc curred over two days, high lighted concerns amongst farmers over how sewerage works are being managed in densely populated agri cultural pockets, where tra ditional irrigation channels continue to be used by mul tiple cultivators. Following protests, the contractor reportedly agreed to provide tanker water for irrigation as a temporary measure. Farm ers, however, said this was not a sustainable solution for fields spread across sev eral acres and reiterated the need for the nullah to be restored to its original condition. Earlier, farmers depend ent on the nullah for irriga tion said the sudden inflow of foul-smelling water ren dered the channel unusa ble, forcing them to halt wa tering at a crucial stage of cultivation. Several growers reported skin irritation af ter coming in contact with the water, while fish were found dead in the channel, raising concerns over the quality of water entering agricultural fields. With more than 50 farm ers relying on the same source for irrigation, culti vators warned that contin ued contamination could result in crop damage and affect the supply of locally grown vegetables. There are also apprehensions that produce irrigated with polluted water could face resistance from buyers, directly impacting liveli hoods. Elected representatives said the discharge amount ed to a clear violation of sewage handling norms. Margao Municipal Council (MMC) Councillor Nimi sha Faleiro said that even during repair or diversion work, untreated sewage must be transported by tankers to the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and cannot be allowed to enter natural water bodies. She said the incident pointed to weak on-ground supervision of contractors engaged in sewerage works and called for accounta bility to be fixed, adding that such lapses had seri ous consequences for both farmers and public health. Former councillor Jose Fernandes said the impact of administrative failures was borne entirely by small farm ers who depended on agri culture for income. He said compensation should be con sidered if crops were dam aged due to contamination.
FARMERS OUTRAGED OVER SEWAGE DISCHARGE INTO FATORDA NULLAH
