MARGAO: The Ramnagari Co-operative Housing Society, situated in Mugali, Sao Jose de Areal, has written to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, urging him to prevent the imminent disconnection of water supply for 195 households. This plea comes in response to disconnection notices issued by the Curtorim Primary Health Centre (PHC), a move that could impact the lives of around 800 residents.
In their letter addressed to the Chief Minister, along with various authorities, including the Director of Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Managing Director of Sewage & Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL), and the PWD Principal Chief Engineer (PCE), the society’s residents emphasised that they weren’t at fault. They attributed the situation to the “negligent attitude of SIDCGL” over the past decade.
The society recounted that the premises were acquired in 1994-95, with the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the Health Officer at PHC, Curtorim, and after thorough verification of all required permissions.
The developer had assured the construction of soak pits and septic tanks as per the approved plans of the NOC, leading to the issuance of Completion orders and Occupancy Certificates by the concerned authorities.
Despite these measures, the residents faced ongoing issues with wastewater overflow. Additional soak pits and septic tanks were constructed, but the problem persisted due to the rocky soil. Experts suggested that connecting the sewer network to the main public sewerage line was the solution.
Over a decade ago, they approached the PWD Principal Chief Engineer (PCE) requesting an extension of the sewage line to their society. SIDCGL approved the extension, but the connection to the main sewerage line was delayed due to the incomplete Sewage Pumping Station at Davorlim. Despite their efforts, disconnection notices loomed over the society.
The society provided copies of official correspondences, highlighting their attempts to resolve the issue. Requests made to the then PWD minister in December 2023 led to the acceptance of sewerage connection applications for 40 households by SIDCGL’s General Manager (GM) in Margao. However, the failure to inform relevant authorities resulted in another disconnection notice.
Even after the completion and inauguration of the pumping station, further hurdles arose, with the SIDCGL GM claiming the absence of an approved transformer at the Electricity Department.
Seeking the Chief Minister’s intervention in December 2023, financial approval was granted, and a Work Order of Rs 44 lakh was issued by the Electricity Department. The transformer was installed, but some minor work remained.
Surprisingly, the latest developments were not communicated to PHC, Curtorim, and PWD, resulting in another disconnection notice on December 20, 2023, affecting 195 water connections starting January 2, 2024.
The society members in the letter, expressed their frustration over this decade-long struggle and earnestly prayed for a directive to SIDCGL to refrain from disconnecting essential water services until their sewer network is linked to the main sewerage line.
The letter, collectively signed by the society’s residents, highlights the urgent need for intervention to avert a potential crisis for its members.
