Residents of Socorro have frequently clashed with the local panchayat over rampant construction activity in the village.
These differences came to the fore yet again last week when a blackish sludge-like substance was found flowing in the Nullah at Ambirna, prompting residents to renew their accusations that local authorities have failed to regulate construction activity in the village.
Residents have been voicing concern that the traditional village fabric at Socorro is being lost due to unabated construction activities in the village, with the tacit support of politicians and the indifferent attitude of local and government authorities.
“Some constructions have come up right on the storm water drain, while the electricity pole is right inside the compound wall of the construction. As per existing rules in force, there should one sewage plant for at least 40 flats. Some companies have built small sewage treatments plants which are not sufficient to treat sewage generated in the building,” said Alex Alphonso of Maina-Socorro.
“We have also noticed that septic tanks overflowing at some buildings. There are age-old houses close to the main storm water drains. The occupants of these houses fear that that their wells could get polluted in the long run, if massive construction activities in the village continue unabated.”
“In the past, residents of Socorro had raised objections against the multi-storeyed buildings in the village. They had requested authorities concerned to permit bungalows and houses in the village to retain the beauty of the village, but their requests were in vain,” said Alphonso.
When Ambirna residents noticed the blackish sludge-like substance being discharged into the nullah, the aggrieved villagers lodged a complaint with the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), who deputed a team to collect samples of the suspected sewage flowing into the nullah.
After collecting samples from the nullah, the GSPCB team along with the local residents went upstream to check the source of discharge. Outflow pipes of two residential complexes were checked. In one of the building complex, the sewage treatment plant was not found working, but the management denied that they had discharged any sewage.
Alphonso, whose house is barely metres away from the two residential complexes, insisted that the sewage was from the residential complexes. “The villagers had opposed these projects in the beginning, but authorities concerned did not listen to them,” he said.
“We have lodged a complaint with Porvorim Police, Socorro Panchayat and Aldona Primary Health Centre in this matter,” informed Alphonso.
Another resident, Dr Aditya Barve, who accompanied the GSPCB team, said the residents have been fighting against the mushrooming of residential complexes in the village. “But with the support of authorities, new ones are being added regularly,” said Dr Barve.
When contacted, Socorro Sarpanch Vaishali Satardekar confirmed having received a complaint from three villagers from Maina-Socorro regarding the blackish sludge-like substance flowing in the Nullah.
“Officials of Goa State Pollution Control Board have collected samples of this substance. We have demanded a joint inspection with officials of the Aldona Primary Health Centre and GSPCB. The Panchayat has decided to act only on receipt of a report from the GSPCB. So far, the Panchayat has not issued notice to anybody,” said Satardekar.
Alphonso said the residents would take action after receiving the GSPCB report on the sludge-like substance.
“We are yet to receive the report of the water sample collected by the GSPCB. The report is expected this week. Once the report is received, we residents will initiate further action,” said Alfonso.
Officials of Goa State Pollution Control Board have collected samples of the substance found in the nulah. We have demanded a joint inspection with officials of the Aldona Primary Health Centre and GSPCB. The Panchayat has decided to act only on receipt of a report from the GSPCB. So far, the Panchayat has not issued notice to anybody.
Vaishali Satardekar Socorro Sarpanch
