MARGAO: Ahead of the High Court hearing on Wednesday, locals from Navelim were upset over the fact that there is still sewage water discharge into Saipem lake which continues to pose a challenge to farmers seeking to bring more fallow land under cultivation.
Amidst preparations for the upcoming season, farmers were dismayed to discover sewage water flowing from nearby residential areas into their fields and their dreams to bring 2.5 lakh square meters of barren land under the plough were shattered.
Farmers pointed out that they noticed sewage water on the Shirvodem side when they had arranged for machinery from the Agriculture Department to be taken to the fields.
The ryots also lamented that just a week ago, the ground leading to the fields had been cleaned but the same was now partially submerged in sewage water. “Plastic and heaps of other waste has been dumped here, which had made it impossible for the tractors to reach the fields, said locals.
The farmers, who were accompanied by an official from the Agricultural department were perturbed over the incident and felt it was a unnecessary setback at a time when they were ready to plough the fields.
During their investigation into the source, they found that septic tanks and soakpits overflowing with contaminated water, previously concealed by vegetation, have now been exposed.
Surprised by this revelation, farmers, committed to cultivating 2.5 lakh square meters of Saipem lake’s fields, now face a new obstacle: sewage discharge from neighboring housing complexes.
Determined to address the issue, farmers plan to appeal to the Health department to inspect the fields, issue notices to violators, and halt water supply to residential areas.
Expressing bewilderment, farmers questioned the authorities for granting permissions to construct septic tanks and soakpits on Comunidade land, from which polluted water now seeps into their fields.
Having previously raised concerns about untreated sewage contamination, farmers now demand legal action against offenders to safeguard the fields for future generations.
During the upcoming hearing, the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) and Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) are expected to file their compliance report.
Others, like the Sewerage and Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa limited (SIDCGL), PWD Sewerage, the Health Department and most recently, the Navelim village panchayat are also respondents in the case.
MMC recently held a meeting with the stakeholders including the petitioner and had updated that notices had been issued to 287 offenders for discharging sewage into the stormwater drains in its jurisdiction.
