MARGAO: Even as the Goa State Pollution Control Board is on a drive to check the release of raw sewage into the river Sal, a government contractor was found releasing waste water from sewage chambers directly into a nullah in the presence of PWD officials.
Alert residents from Madel caught the contractor red-handed.
The residents also caught hold of a PWD official who allowed this to happen and took him to task. When journalists tried to question them, they fled. Police were called at the site.
The contractor, who had displayed PWD boards at the site, was found sucking the raw sewage from the chambers using a pump and later releasing the same into the nearby nullah.
The scene was disgusting, wherein a nearby nullah was full with raw sewage and unbearable stench.
The locals said that they will be filing complaints in this regard with the concerned authorities including the Health Department.
Irked by the incident, the citizens demanded action against the contractor.
Recently the Goa State Pollution Control Board and others had held an inspection to check on the pollution of Saipem Lake and River Sal following the release of sewage.
Frustrated over the incident, Milagres Fernandes, a social activist and resident of Madel, questioning the government authorities on the issue, asked what is the use of spending crores of rupees in constructing a sewage pipeline if they want to release sewage directly into the nullah?
“Madel residents suffering from health ailments caused due to the flow of sewage into the nullahs and open areas. The Chief Minister should intervene in this matter and initiate strict action against those involved in releasing raw sewage into the nullahs,” he demanded.
He called upon the health authorities to act on the issue immediately.
Renzil Mascarenhas, another resident, said that the government authorities are least bothered about the health of the citizens.
“Most of the time government authorities are found issuing notices to the citizens if found releasing sewage and wastewater into the open areas citing health hazard issues. However, all are quiet despite knowing the fact that raw sewage is being pumped and later released into the nullah with no action initiated against the culprits,” he said.
