TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said that the sewerage system scheme for the coastal stretch from Betalbatim to Colva, estimated at Rs 245 crore, would be taken up after the monsoons.
Parrikar said that since setting up of sewerage treatment plant bears heavy capital cost, it is not possible for the government to take up the entire state at one time.
“We will be taking it up in a phased manner. Since Betalbatim to Colva is a major project, we will take it up after monsoon,” he said.
Chief Minister was speaking during the Question Hour, wherein Colva MLA Caitano Silva questioned delay in taking up the sewerage project at Colva. He said that though the proposal was made in 2012-13 Budget, no work has commenced.
Silva also questioned the need to take up Betalbatim with Colva.
Public Works Department Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar said that the constituency is been taken up under Sewerage scheme for South Coastal belts, estimated at Rs 643 crore. The beach belts of Majorda, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Mobor and Cavelossim, would be undertaken under the scheme.
“Since the cost is very high, government need to generate funds and then move ahead,” Minister said adding ‘if Special Status is granted to Goa, the expenditure of the development would be shared between Centre and State on 90:10 basis’.
He said that Detail Project Report (DPR) has been prepared according to which, all seven beach stretches are divided into three districts. Majora, Betalbatim to Colva and Varca to Cavelossim.
Dhavalikar said that though the Betalbatim to Colva stretch is connected, the sewerage network and treatment plant would be step up at Colva.
In a written reply tabled in the House, the DPR have been prepared for the areas of Old Goa, Cortalim, Ponda, Porvorim and Margao.
