Work on the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) for seven villages at Porvorim is yet to start even though the State government had assured during the last budget session that the work would commence within nine months.
Estimated at Rs 233.47 crore, the STP project was conceived and prepared by Science, Technology and Environment Department, and will be executed by the Sewerage and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (SIDCL).
SIDCL sources informed that the STP will cover Penha-de-Franca, Salvador do Mundo, Socorro, Pomburpa, Reis Magos, Pilerne and Nerul villages and will have five collection centres and 10 pumping stations.
The SIDCL has received all clearances for the ambitious project and is awaiting the nod from the Finance department to go ahead with the project.
In its letter on March 7, 2012, the financial institution, HUDCO, agreed to finance the project and had given four months to the State government to confirm the acceptance.
The financial institution had also agreed to extend the deadline for confirmation by another 6 months if the State government desired so, but the government did not respond to the offer.
Speaking to Herald, SIDCL Managing Director Arvind Patil said they have already received administrative approval for the project.
“As soon as the finance department releases funds, we will start the tendering process. The work has been divided in three zones. The first zone comprises Reis Magos, Nerul, Pilerne and Penha-de-Franca, the second zone will cover Porvorim plateau area from Assembly Complex till Damian de Goa and Socorro, while the third zone include Salvador do Mundo and Pomburba,” informed Patil.
“The tendering of work depends on the release of funds by the Finance department. If the entire amount of Rs 230 crore is released, then we will start work simultaneously in all three zones. If part payment is released, then sewerage work of the second zone will start first,” added Patil.
Patil further informed that the State government has submitted its sewerage proposal to National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) for grants.
“If accepted, the NRCD will provide 80 per cent towards the project cost and the State government will have to bear the remaining 20 per cent,” said Patil.
