PANJIM: With their premises already flooded with raw sewage, the residents of Mala, Panjim are now living in fear, as the filth at their doorstep has caused the reptiles such as snakes to sneak into their homes.
The residents appear helpless as they claim that the authorities have turned a deaf ear to their pleas.
“The situation is turning from bad to worse. Sewage is still flowing in front of our houses and now snakes and fish have made their presence at our doorstep,” complained Pranav Shanbhag, a resident of Mala.
He urged the authorities to take the much-needed steps to stop the release of raw sewage into the drains.
“I am still firm on my statement that the drains have been flooded by the Public Works Department (PWD) by discharging raw sewage. The drains cannot flood with sewage released by just one or two buildings. The PWD is responsible for the menace. The Water Resources Department (WRD) has choked the culverts by blocking the natural flow of the creek water. During high tide, the creek water enters the drains, which causes the sewage to reach people’s doorsteps. Along with sewage, fish from the creek and other creatures have also started entering people’s homes,” claimed Shubham Chodankar,
CCP Councillor.
It is pertinent to note that a building that houses commercial establishments in Neugi Nagar allegedly discharged raw sewage and there was a leakage from a PWD sewer line which led to raw sewage flowing into the public drains and through public drains the same reached people’s doorsteps at Mala.
The release of raw sewage has caused the entire area to stink, posing a major threat to the health of the residents.
CCP Deputy Mayor Sanjeev Naik claimed that all required steps have been taken by the government departments concerned and the situation will improve in the next 10 days.
“PWD is carrying out the work and taking measures to stop the flow of sewage into the drains. A similar issue emerged in St Inez. It will take seven to ten days for the situation to improve. A meeting has been scheduled with the PWD Minister where we will discuss the issue in detail,” Naik assured.
