MARGAO: The works of North-Main sewage pipeline will be completed by May 2022, and thereafter the issue of discharging sewage into the Bhokti Khanddi of Nuvem, besides into the River Sal will be resolved permanently, assured Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, as he visited the Bhokti Khanddi along with the Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’sa on Friday at Nuvem.
Officials of the Sewage Department, besides Public Works Department were present at the time of inspection. There were nearly hundred of affected farmers from Nuvem, who were fully dependent on the Bhokti Khanddi for agriculture.
It was the Herald who had highlighted the issue on November 28 with the title ‘Protect Nuvem Khanddis from man-made nuisance’. Taking serious note of the news story D’sa once again brought this issue to the notice of the Chief Minister, upon which the inspection was carried out on Friday evening.
CM also referred to the news story published in the Herald.
Several farmers gathered at the site also put forth their grievances to the CM and urged to resolve the issue so that they can restart farming activities in the Bhokti Khanddi. He also charged officials of the PWD for showing negligence towards the issue.
Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister admitted that the sewage is flowing into the Bhokti Khandi due to the linkage in the sewage pipeline at Danvoddem, Fatorda.
“Few days later the local MLA had brought this issue to my notice, wherein sewage from the damaged sewage pipeline was flowing into the lake. This has resulted in farmers being deprived of farming activities. Main problem is that the 30 years old sewage pipeline is leaking,” said CM.
He further said that the issue will be resolved only after the work of the new North-Main sewage pipeline is completed and it will get over by May 2022.
“Sewage will be diverted through the new pipeline. The farmers have to wait for another few months, and thereafter they will be able to cultivate their agricultural land,” said CM.
He also said all the other issues related to sewage water being flowing into the River Sal will also be resolved once the North-Main sewage pipeline is completed.
