PONDA: The residents of Undir-Ponda have strongly opposed the plans for a 15 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) that involves landfilling. The locals have not only gathered in protest but have also scheduled a public meeting on September 3, to take the matter to the Supreme Court if needed. The core concern of the villagers is the potential inundation during the monsoon if the proposed STP project comes to fruition against their wishes.
Villagers have cited that the project is being imposed upon them without due consideration for their concerns. They express fears of heightened flooding risks in the monsoon season, directly stemming from the construction of the STP. The distressing aspect is that around 30,000 trees could face the axe for this project, although the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has greenlit the felling of only 109 trees. Notably, visits by government officials, including Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral, have occurred in an attempt to quell tensions and build understanding.
Under the banner of ‘Undir Sarakshan Manch,’ the residents are initiating a peaceful agitation. Mukund Naik, the convenor of the movement, highlights that their opposition spans seven years, indicating the depth of their concerns. They appealed to PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral to refrain from imposing the STP in a residential area and urge for a comprehensive assessment of the potential impact on both the local populace and the environment.
The crucial point raised by the locals is the potential for a sewage plant located within a flood catchment area to exacerbate the flooding woes in Undir Village. Adding to their frustration is the fact that there is already a 15 MLD STP situated just five kilometers away at Kapileshwarim. This redundancy prompts the villagers to question the necessity for an additional STP in Undir and raises suspicions about the motivations behind placing two STPs in the Marcaim Constituency. Furthermore, concerns regarding coal dumping and handling activities at Undir add to the apprehensions of the locals.
The proposed site for the STP is situated within Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) territory and encompasses a dense forest of mangrove trees. The livelihoods of many locals are intricately linked to fishing activities within Undir, further underscoring the significance of this ecosystem. Mukund Naik emphasizes that approximately 43,000 square meters of khazan land have been earmarked for acquisition, encompassing around 33,000 square meters of mangrove forest. He raises a red flag not just over the STP but also speculates about potential coal handling activities. In his view, the conjunction of the STP and coal dumping would spell disaster for Undir village.
