Team Herald
MAPUSA: Shops in Mapusa market have been releasing waste water into the nullah behind the market leading to the contamination of Tar River.
This came to light during an inspection on Wednesday by Mahesh Virnodkar, an officer of the Directorate of Health Services, which was conducted following complaints by Mapusa youth and Revolutionary Goan.
During the site inspection, the official visited a restaurant and beef shop to check where they were realising waste water. It came to light that both the parties were releasing their waste into the nullah behind the market.
“We have taken the names of the violators we have identified during the inspection and will be sending them notices. By Monday, we will inspect all the shops in Mapusa market to check whether they have built a soak pit. We will be sending a report of the same to the Collector and the Municipality. After receiving the notice, if they fail to build a soak pit, we will keep their shops closed,” Virnodkar said.
The leader of the group ‘Mapusa Youth’, Gauresh Keni pointed out that the river water had turned blackish due to the waste water being released into the nullahs from the households in Khorlim to Gandhi Chowk and shops at the Mapusa market which is being further diverted into the river.
“During this inspection we saw that the beef vendors, fish market and other shops operating in Mapusa market are releasing their waste water into the nullah. The Health Department will revoke the licences of the shops operating without a soak pit. This is ongoing man made pollution,” Keni said.
Earlier in May, ‘Mapusa Youth’ had submitted a memorandum to the Mapusa Municipal Chief Officer demanding action against those commercial and residential complexes discharging their sewerage water into the river.
