QUEPEM: Overflowing sewage, allegedly from the residential complexes nearby, has stagnated in Quepem’s busy market area, subjecting customers and local residents to the putrid stench and other problems associated with untreated septic waste. Over the past two years, the Quepem Municipal Council (QMC) and the Quepem Health Center have received several complaints about sewage contaminating the locality, but both authorities have failed to resolve the issue, complain villagers.
Local councillor Jakina Dias lamented that the sewage from a couple of residential complexes flows into a rainwater canal, polluting the surrounding land, and possibly the ground water as well. “A large number of mosquitoes have bred in this stagnant water, and this poses the risk of vector-borne diseases for those living and working nearby,” said Dias.
She added that a few months ago, the Sanitation Inspector of the Primary Health Center and Municipal Chairperson Suchita Shirwaikar had inspected the place, but no action was taken. “The people are angry as they cannot accept inaction on such a pressing health issue,” said Dias.
Another councillor of the QMC Prasad Faldesai said that the sewage has been seeping out and flowing into the canal for the past few months, but the stench has gotten worse as the work of laying slabs on the canal passing through the Quepem Bazaar began earlier this week.
“The waste water is now flowing above the canal, and the stench is spreading,” he said. Phaldesai warned that farmers growing food crops in Quepem are being supplied with this contaminated sewage-water for irrigation as the noxious wastewater is allowed to flow into the canal. He urged the departments concerned to take immediate action.
