Undir-Bandora locals up in arms over land filling for proposed STP project

PONDA: Tension prevailed on Tuesday morning at Undir-Bandora over land filling for construction of 15 MLD sewerage treatment plant.
Locals stopped land filling stating that it is khazan land, flood catchment area and also eco-sensitive zone. It has thick mangrove forest, further also people’s livelihood depends upon fishing activities at Undir.
There were heated arguments between the engineers and locals.
Mukund Naik said that the STP shouldn’t be forced in the residential area at Undir.
He questioned why two 15 MLD STPs are needed at Marcaim and for whose benefit.
He said 43,000 sq mtrs khajan land and mangrove forest lies in the area.
Naik also suspected that the land will be used to facilitate coal handling.
He said just 5km away, there is a 15 MLD plant and this is another 15 MLD project at Marcaim Constituency.
He questioned the need of another 15 MLD plant at Undir.
“Why we need two STPs and why locals should allow sewage of Ponda town at Undir.”
He said, “In case STP is proposed along with coal dump, Undir village would be destroyed. There is no need of STP in this area as everyone has their own toilet facility. There is no residential complex or buildings at Undir so why there is need of STP at Undir.”
The locals led by Mukund grilled the sewerage officials Pradeep Gaude over land filling issue. The contractor involved in dumping and land filling said he is doing it at the instruction of Sewerage Engineer Pradeep.
However, Pradeep denied that he had given any permission for the land filling.
He said, “The government acquired the land and also obtained permissions for the project.” However, locals were in no mood to listen saying they will be victims of flood and stench smell. They also warn to file cases against officials.
“The sewerage plant would cause stench in the area and also it would lead to flooding in the area if STP is built in catchment area. Ponda nullah floods every year and this is the catchment area for flood,” he added.
Villagers also demanded that the site on which the sewerage plant is located has thousands of mangroves and it’s destruction for building STP would cause major flooding in the area.