Team Herald
MARGAO: All the four holes used to release even the untreated raw sewage of two sewerage treatment plants (STP) installed at Sirvodem was immediately closed on Friday morning after the news story appeared on Herald daily. Taking cognizance of the serious issue, citizens have demanded that High Court should take a suo moto cognizance of the issue at the earliest.
It was surprising to hear that on Friday one of the supervisors at the plant denied the release of untreated sewage into the rivulet. However, he has no answer why suddenly the four gates used to release sewage water were closed after the news story.
On Friday when Herald revisited the site it was noticed that all the four gates used to release treated and untreated raw sewage was closed, and the rivulet was almost dry.
One of the supervisors who were at the site claimed the gates that used to release sewage were closed for the last many days and said the sewage water, which was flowing in these days, was rainy water, and not raw sewage. However, Herald had visited the plant from outside for the last continuous two days, and that too at the dry spell of rainy reason. Herald has in its custody enough videos and pictures as a piece of evidence in this matter.
Speaking to Herald, Savio Coutinho, social activities, along with a resident of close by locality, alleged that the whole sewage scheme itself is a big scam, and hence the High Court should take suo moto cognizance of the issue and initiate the inquiry or monitor the operations.
“This issue of releasing raw sewage directly from the plants into the rivulet was brought to the notice of concerned authorities early also. Now, again such types of activities continued, despite the new plant which is very shocking. On one hand, River Sal is being polluted by releasing the raw sewage and on the other hand crores of money being spent on cleaning operation of the River,” said Savio.
He alleged that the whole scheme of the sewage system in Margao is itself a big scam. “No one is serious about the sewage issue. There is no monitoring of the sewage line. Raw sewage is being overflowed from the chambers at different places, due to substandard works. Authorities have the concern to see to it that this sewage scheme is really benefiting the people in reality or not,” he stated.
Savio alleged that there are lots of shortcomings in the plants when visited several times.
“More shocking to know that there are nearly dozen of workers seating ideal at the old plant, which is not in operation for the last many years. They are being paid for no work. And this issue has been neglected for the best reasons known by the concerned department,” he stated.
He said that it is beyond the tolerance, and hence needs an inquiry in the matter at the earliest. “This has become an additional nuisance in the city. Earlier we used to witness the overflow of the septic tanks but the overflowing of the sewerage network is noticed at many places,” he claimed.
