Salcete locals bemoan deteriorating conditions of River Sal

MARGAO: Locals from Margao, Navelim, Colva and Cavelossim have taken strong objection to the reports confirming raw sewage being released into River Sal and bemoaned the state of Salcete’s water lifeline.

While Cavelossim resident Roy Barretto was quick to point out that the problem has been existing for the last 15 years and not 15 days, Colva activist Judith Almeida questioned why the government that spends money on treating sewage water, does not send that same treated water to hotels, restaurants and big residential complexes.

Almeida, who had approached the High Court about the Colva Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) voiced her opposition to the proposed plans of releasing treated sewage water into the rivers and said there is a risk of contaminating fresh water sources. The villagers of Benaulim and panchayat had also opposed the release of treated sewage water from the Colva STP into the sea and wanted it to be stopped.

Given the condition of the Navelim STP, where consecutive inspections were held over the release of raw sewage into the River at Sirvodem, Navelim locals also lamented the damage caused to the surrounding areas and fields.

Navelim resident Joseph Vaz pointed out at the salt pans downstream of River Sal in Telaulim getting destroyed due to the contamination and that the fields around the STP are stinking because of the sewage discharge.

Shadow Council for Margao (SCM) Convenor Savio Coutinho also pointed out that they have been for years raising the issue of raw sewage being let into the River Sal and had even protested the wastage of taxpayers’ money given that the government were yet to plug the sources of pollution of the river.

“Has the Margao MLA ever in his nearly 3-decade-old tenure, raised any concern any time during the last 28 years, about raw sewage flowing into the River Sal, which in fact is the life line of Salcete?” Coutinho questioned

He added that if there has been any improvement taking place at the STPs in Goa, it is due to the various petitions and complaints filed by individuals and NGOs.

“While the government and authorities display laxity in speeding up the mechanism to plug the pollution sources, it is time that the people of all the three Constituencies, through which the River Sal flows, come on the streets and strongly agitate to demand for an immediate solution,” Coutinho stated.