MARGAO: It’s the end of the winter season and even though the monsoon is still 5 months away, the stormwater drains in Margao are filled with water/sewage and have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
In front of Inox theatre, water from an overflowing overhead water tank has filled a storm drain. The water has stagnated since the drain is choked with plastic cups and other plastic waste. Mosquitoes and algae are seen floating on the water in the drain. The nulla in front of the District court is filled with sewage water and algae. The flow of the sewage is strong enough to create a frothy layer on top of the water. The rest of the nulla from, Ravindra Bhavan till Madel, is covered with water hyacinth and algae.
Sanjeev Raiturkar, an activist from Fatorda, said that probably not even half of the sewage generated from Fatorda and Margao reaches the sewage plant. “The sewerage department is installing the main line along KTC road for more than a month. They won’t be able to complete the work before monsoon at this rate. In the meantime, the fields and the water table are being severely contaminated.”. Raiturkar stated that the health department has to take serious note and prepare a report on all the problem areas. “The High court has already taken action on the black spots where garbage is dumped. I hope they also take suo moto cognizance of the sewage problem.”
Herald visited the Urban health centre in Margao and informed them about the mosquito breeding sites. The officer on duty stated that he can act only if a written complaint is made to the department.
