PANJIM: A black thick liquid that appeared to be “raw sewage” was spilled on the promenade along the Mandovi River bank behind Campal swimming pool, raising a stink on Wednesday.
Around 200 to 300-metre stretch of the walkway has become a hazard for the pedestrians and cyclists using the walkway.
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Two citizens who were walking on the walkway reportedly slipped and fell on the black thick liquid.
“The whole area is full of sewage; this is supposed to be a Smart City. We don’t know what the local MLA, Mayor and Commissioner of CCP are doing to the people of Panjim. Government itself is releasing sewage into the river. Do they care for the Mandovi river and the people of Goa?” asked former CCP Councillor Patricia Pinto.
Vincent Baracho, a city resident, claimed that the black thick liquid has been released into the Mandovi river for the last three days and demanded action against the culprits.
When contacted, CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate said that it was not sewage slurry and claimed that it was only sandy material.
“It was informed by PWD that the main tank that holds the effluent treated water at Tonca was cleaned yesterday (Tuesday) and the same was released through the effluent water line that has its outlet (valve) at our promenade,” said Monserrate.
“The pipeline valve was damaged on Tuesday and due to this, the slurry water is oozing out on the Promenade. This is not sewage slurry. This is only the clayey or the sand material that settles or gets deposited at the bottom of water tanks. We have asked PWD to repair the valve,” Monserrate added.
The CCP Mayor further informed that a site inspection with PWD (sewerage and water supply) engineers along with GSIDC officials was held and added that the GSIDC has requested the North Goa Collector to direct the Fire and Emergency Services, to clean the affected stretch of the Promenade with their high pressure water jet cleaner.
