Team Herald
PORVORIM: PWD Minister Ramakrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar on Wednesday informed the Legislative Assembly that each and every household of Ponda and Margao towns would be connected to the sewerage treatment facility in the next one year.
Responding to a question raised by Ponda Congress MLA Ravi Naik, the Minister said that government had proposed a sewerage treatment facility at Curti village, which will take care of Ponda town and its surrounding areas.
“The work on the plant started in 2016, but due to the election code of conduct, which came into force as a result of State Assembly election followed by Panchayat election, the work was not carried forward,” he informed the House.
Dhavalikar said there was also delay in receiving the no-objection certificate from the Town and Country Planning Department and consent to establish from the Goa State Pollution Control Board. “We have received the NOC from TCP and the plant would be functional next year,” he said.
The Minister further informed the House that the work of laying sewerage pipeline in Ponda, costing Rs195.59 cr was in progress. “Sixty per cent work was completed and the balance work would re-start after monsoons. In the next one year, all households would be connected with the plant,” he said.
Naik who raised the issue, questioned as to why the work was tendered without land being acquired for setting up a treatment facility. He also questioned the delay in the completion of the project, which was sanctioned in 2011.
The MLA brought to the notice of the House that the project was facing severe opposition from the locals.
Replying to the same, the Minister said that it has already obtained non-revocable NOC from the owner of the land. “Not just of Ponda but also households from Margao and nearby areas like Navelim and Curtorim would be connected to the sewerage facility in the next one year,” he stated.
