The Central government approving the project to abate pollution of river Sal at Navelim in Goa at an estimated cost of Rs 61.7 crore ( See report with this story) may be some good news for Xaxtikaars. However there is unprecedented discharge of sewage into the river. Even as the Government makes attempts to connect the sewage lines into the sewerage system. Several nullahs, small rivulets and distributaries are still discharging lakhs of liters of sewage into the river.
The garbage pollution from the filth that is being strewn along the river sides that is eventually making its way to the river and is polluting the river Sal needs to be looked into when the projected is augmented with central funds
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had in 2015 identified the river stretch at Navelim as one of the 302 polluted river stretches across the country based on bio-chemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels – a key indicator of organic pollution showing water quality.
Cost of the project, covering setting up of sewage treatment facilities and sewer network, will be shared equally between the Centre and state government.
The project was approved by the Union environment ministry last week under its National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) which covers 31 rivers (other than Ganga and its tributaries) in 14 states.
“The Sal river cleaning project will reduce pollution and improve water quality and sanitation in Navelim town. Idea is to take up the polluted river stretches one-by-one for cleaning under a comprehensive plan in other states as well”, said an official.
Not too long ago the entire River Sal desilting exercise had been carried out by spending Rs. 9 crores and that has gone down the river Sal.
The Chief Minister has been on record that the river Sal is in need of dredging of which can runs into crores of rupees. The project sanctioned to control the pollution of the River may help the cause to quite an extent. However there is a requirement for massive awareness drive with the society as there is no seriousness shown in keeping the river clean.
Rs 61 crore Central sanction to control River Sal pollution
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar announced that the Centre has sanctioned Rs 61.30 crore to control pollution in River Sal.
The project was sanctioned by Environment Ministry under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), according to an official statement. “Yesterday I received letter from Union Minister (environment) Harsh Vardhan informing about sanctioning of the fund,” Parrikar said.
Under the project, around 32 km of sewers would be laid and a sewage treatment plant of three million litres per day capacity will be constructed. “The project is basically to ensure River Sal is pollution free,” he said.
