Team Herald
MARGAO: Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira issued a stern warning to the South Goa Collectorate canteen contractor on Tuesday over the issue of wastewater flowing into a nearby nullah. He warned that the canteen would be sealed if the problem was not resolved immediately.
Sequeira also directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to investigate and take appropriate measures to prevent further contamination of the drains by wastewater.
The issue came to light after citizens raised concerns about wastewater and sewage from the canteen entering the drains, prompting calls for intervention from the Health and Environment Departments and the Margao Municipal Council. During a meeting at the Collectorate, Sequeira summoned the relevant officials and the contractor, issuing a strict ultimatum to stop the discharge. “The canteen operator is directed to cease this activity immediately,” Sequeira said.
Additional Collector - I, Srinet Kothwale, confirmed that the canteen owner had already started taking action to halt the flow of wastewater into the drainage system. “It has been revealed that the canteen owners were directly releasing wastewater into the drainage after washing the utensils used for cooking,” he stated.