Team Herald
PANJIM: The contractor executing the repair work of sewage lines for the Public Works Department (PWD) has released raw sewage in the open in a property by the side of Goa State Central Library at Patto-Panjim and also in the adjoining drainage, which is posing a health hazard to the visitors and employees at the library.
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Initially, the contractor released the raw sewage in the property, where earlier State Museum was located. However when objected by few officials working at Goa State Central Library, he then started discharging it in the drainage.
The officials said that as the sewage has been released in the open, it is now a breeding ground for ‘Aedes Aegypti’ mosquitoes that are the main vector that transmits the viruses which cause dengue.
When the Herald Team visited the site, a black thick liquid was seen all around the property next to Goa State Central Library and sewage was being released in the drainage located in front of the library, raising a stink.
When contacted, PWD executive engineer Rajendra Khanna refused to comment, while assistant engineer Rashmi Shirodkar said that she is not authorised to speak to media persons.
Shirodkar’s office informed that the repair work was taken on urgent basis as sewage was overflowing and stagnating on the road at the Goa State Central Library, reportedly because of blockage in sewage chambers and in the pipeline. ‘Agasti Enterprises’, was awarded the contract to carry out the repair works which also covers scope of works to pump out the raw sewage from blocked chambers to the nearby functional chambers using pipes. However, the contractor has not adhered to the terms and conditions of the work order. And he allegedly released the sewage in the open next to Goa State Central Library without informing the PWD.
Urban Health Centre, Panjim health officer Dr Sunita Arlekar said that she has not received any official complaint in this regard. She however said that if she receives a report from field healthcare workers then she will consider initiating required action.
“One cannot discharge sewage in the open. I will bring it to the notice of top PWD officials. We will ask the contractor to stop releasing sewage and take corrective measures,” CCP councillor Vithal Chopdekar, said.
Trupti Naik, a college student who visits Goa State Central Library said that the foul smell spreading in the area is “unbearable” adding that even continuously wearing a face mask isn’t helping.
“The authorities should step in and take action to prevent epidemic and ensure hygienic conditions in and around the library premises,” she said.
