The FILTHY CREEK — City’s eye sore

The most controversial St Inez Creek of Panjim is not only a black spot in the capital city but has also become a major health hazard for people residing on its bank. The creek, which starts from Nagali hill in Taleigao runs through St Inez and Campal before culminating into River Mandovi.

The creek has been crying for attention for the past several years but efforts of the government authorities (now bifurcated into several departments) and the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) have gone in vain.

 The environmentalists, along with concerned citizens, have questioned time and again the government’s non-committal attitude towards cleaning and rejuvenation of the creek. The issue is very crucial in terms of putting an end to the spread of deadly diseases due to the contamination and pollution of water.

It is also a fact that the 3.5 km creek, which was once highly productive in fish and shellfish, is now filled with empty cans, plastic bottles, bags, raw sewage and decaying food. Perhaps the most difficult thing is to spot the water itself as in the past couple of days due to stagnation the entire creek is covered with a thin layer of crawling plants, giving it a deceptive look of green.

With the monsoons expected to arrive early next month, environmentalists have raised concerns about the health hazards as the current condition of the creek is extremely dangerous for those residing along the bank and who may be prone to malaria and dengue. But whether or not these are breeding grounds for the vectors that cause diseases like Malaria and Dengue have yet to be ascertained by the health department.

“The St. Inez Creek, I think, is the major source of breeding of mosquitoes and recently I heard there are some cases of malaria and dengue detected among the residents. The government must do something and clean the creek to stop an outbreak of any major diseases,” said Nikhil Parab, a resident of Campal.

The release of raw sewage into the water body has, in the past, highlighted the danger it posses to the residents nearby and its impact on the environment. The levels of pollutants and bacteria along with water turbidity are proof of the bad state the Creek is in and added to it is the nearby sewage treatment plant and slums along several areas of the 3.5 kms stretch of the creek.

Speaking to Herald, Dr Oscar Rebello, a social activist, said “Due to the contamination of the water all the vector bourne diseases such as malaria, dengue and chickengunya can spread easily.”

Pramay Mainkar, Ward No. 16 corporator affirms that the issue of the creek has become a serious risk to humans and also to the environment.

“St Inez Creek has become a serious issue and should be tackled in a proper way and I am confident that the work will start soon. Firstly when it comes to St Inez Creek we see only plastics and other things floating. But we have to also see that there are around 90 toilets along the creek whose raw sewage is directly flown in the water. Unless this is stopped, it won't remain clean. We have to also look at the start and end point of the creek, and not only few parts,” he said.

Meanwhile, it may be recalled that the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and the Corporation of the City of Panjim, Mayor, Surendra Furtado had made some attempts to purify the contaminated water body but failed to get the required support from the government despite the then Laxmikant Parsekar government in 2015-16 Budget had earmarked nearly Rs 8 crores for cleaning and beautification of St Inez Creek project, something that never worked out. 

When contacted, the Mayor refused to comment on the condition of the creek requesting to ‘ask the Government’.