Locals cry foul as authorities release stagnant Colva creek water into sea
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, APRIL 17
Locals cried foul on Saturday as the authorities finally released stagnant sewage waters from the Colva creek into the sea since under the cover of darkness late Friday night in flagrant violation of rules.
The trench built by the Water Resources Department on the request of the Goa Coastal Management Zone Authority exactly a week ago was conveniently connected to the sea late last night draining out the stagnant waters, unmindful of the fact that scores of visitors are taking a dip in the sea waters to beat the sultry heat these days.
It was only when local NGOs and residents, besides visitors raised a banner of protest that two labourers were seen capping the trench. The Colva police also made their presence felt at the site, but was dragging its feet to initiate action against the culprits.
The discharge of the sewage waters into the sea evoked strong reaction from the picnickers who questioned the logic behind releasing the waters in the sea when people come for bathing at this part of the year. Says a frequent visitor to the beach, Julia Colaco: “This is not the right solution to the Colva creek. We have come today to have bath and enjoy the scene beauty, but were disappointed to know that contaminated waters have been released in the sea”.
Convenor of the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum Judith Almeida demanded to know how the authorities could discharge polluted waters from the creek into the sea when thousands of people come to the beach for swimming and bathing. “This only goes to show the concern from the government, ministers and concerned authorities, including local authorities to the problem”, she added.
Almeida claimed that a two feet channel was dug up late last night to drain out the creek waters in the sea, only to be capped today following protests by the locals. “When we raised objections to the discharge of sewage in the sea, the labourers were found capping the trench. Is it proper for the authorities to discharge sewage waters in the sea when people come to the world famous beach for swimming and bathing”, she asked and blamed the government authorities for failing to take action despite protests by the locals since last week.
Referring to media reports that the WRD carried out the work upon request from the GCZMA, Almeida sought to know how can a Coastal Management Authority make such a request to drain out the stagnant waters in the sea and disclosed plans to take the matter to the higher authorities.
Incidentally, when contacted, Colva police said no action has been initiated against the concerned persons for releasing the stagnant creek waters in the sea. In fact, a police personnel maintained that the trench dug up last week has been capped today.
