Entire line to be replaced depending on availability of funds
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Even as residents of Old market and Ambaji are crying foul over odour of sewage emanating from broken sewage chambers, the proposal to replace the ageing and dilapidated underground sewage line connecting the sewage treatment plant and Fatorda is awaiting government approval.
Sources in the Goa Sewerage and Infrastructure Development Corporation told Herald that while the PWD has prepared the estimates, monetary constraints have come in the way of carrying out replacement of the underground line. Estimates prepared by the PWD has put the total cost of the replacement of the line at whopping at Rs 63 crore.
Given the peculiar situation and left with few options, the authorities have mooted an alternative plan to take up work on major repair on the damaged portion of the underground line in the Ambaji-Old market area on a priority basis before the entire line is replaced at a later stage depending on the availability of funds.
“This Ambaji-Old market area is the most vulnerable section of the underground line given that it is passing through low lying fields. Water must be entering the line in this section since the fields are water logged during the monsoons,” remarked an official in the know.
When contacted, Managing Director of Goa Sewerage and Infrastructure Development Corporation, Arvind Patil told Herald that the PWD estimates for the replacement of the underground line is yet to receive government sanction. He, however, said that pending the final government decision, the authorities will have to take up repair work at Ambaji-Old market area at the earliest.
Incidentally, while it was not uncommon to find sewerage chambers overflowing in the old market area and the Ambaji section in the last couple of years, locals blamed the authorities in showing no urgency to repair the damaged line.
Meanwhile, residents complained of foul odour emanating from the fields in the old market area, along the stretch between Shetye steel and the old market as sewage waters from the chambers have found its way into the fields. Few days ago, farmers and residents of Ambaji had complained of foul sewage odour emanating from the adjoining nullah after a sewage chamber was connected to it by the authorities.
