ROHAN SHRIVASTAV
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PANJIM: The State’s Capital is staring at a health hazard, which could “erupt” any moment, as the residents of Mala are forced to walk through stinking raw sewage flowing at their doorstep.
In a startling revelation, both the Panjim Urban Health Centre and PWD have admitted that a building that houses commercial establishments in Neugi Nagar area has been discharging raw sewage and also there is leakage in a PWD’s sewer line which has led to the raw sewage to flow in the public drains of Mala. To make matters worse for the residents of Mala, the sewage has reached their doorstep and one such classic example is ‘Jovita’ building located near the North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) office.
The quantum of raw sewage flowing in the area is so much that it has accumulated under the Mala-Patto Bridge in Rua de Ourém Creek and one of the main water pipelines supplying drinking water to the residents of the capital city is partly submerged in sewage near the Sinari petrol pump in the area.
Speaking to O Heraldo, Vithal Sutar, a resident of Mala said, “Raw sewage has accumulated in my building compound. The situation turns worse during high tide in the creek as it flows right up to the main door on the ground floor. We have to walk through the sewage and the stench is unbearable. This has been a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and the authorities concerned are least bothered and we are helpless.”
Stating that sewage released from just one building will not fill the entire drainage system at Mala, Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) councillor of the area Shubham Chodankar accused the PWD of discharging raw sewage into the drains from its sewer lines.
“Just imagine if this is the situation in summer, then what will happen during monsoon? We need a permanent solution. While constructing Mala-Patto Bridge, the WRD has blocked age-old culverts at crucial points and that is the reason creek water is flowing into the drains and during high tide along with creek water, sewage is reaching at people’s doorsteps. WRD and PWD are responsible for this mess,” Chodankar claimed.
“I admit that there is leakage from our sewer line, but it is extremely minor. The problem faced by residents for the last eight days is not entirely because of leakage from our lines. It’s because of one commercial building that is releasing raw sewage directly into the drains. Our line is close to the petrol pump and the major problem is towards the other side,” claimed Rashmi Shirodkar, PWD Assistant Engineer.
She accused the WRD of damaging the sewer line while executing some works in the area, but was quick to add that the PWD is now laying an alternate line to ensure that there is no sewage leakage.
“We have inspected the area and found that the co-op housing maintenance society limited located next to Jairam Complex was releasing untreated sewage in its drains connected to public drains. They told us that their in-house sewage treatment plant is not working. We have issued them a notice and have asked them to immediately stop the nuisance,” said Dr Sunita Arlekar, Health Officer in-charge of UHC, Panjim.
She said that on field healthcare workers have been told to take necessary measures to prevent breeding of mosquitoes in Mala.
CCP Deputy Mayor, Sanjeev Naik said that Mayor Rohit Monserrate inspected the affected areas and has directed the officials concerned to take corrective measures.
“Sewage has made its way into the drains. The issue is being taken care of by the departments concerned. There are some technical issues that both the PWD and WRD have to address to ensure that the creek’s tidal surges don’t have an effect on the internal drains. CCP Mayor and the local MLA have issued directions to the engineers concerned to rectify the same and complete the work at the earliest,” Naik said.
When contacted, WRD Assistant Engineer, Rajesh Tarkar said that his superiors will be in a better position to comment on the issue.
