Core committee to identify sewage-linked and unlinked areas
File photo of the River Sal contaminated with sewage water discharged from Margao.
MARGAO
The High Court has directed the Core Committee set up to look into the rampant sewage discharge in the city drains to prepare and submit a map in consultation with office of PWD, Municipal Council and the Sewerage and Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL), indicating the areas within the jurisdiction of Margao Municipal Council which are connected with sewerage and those which are not.
During the hearing in the Public Interest Litigation in the Salpem lake contamination filed by Prof Antonio Alvares, the High Court set May 8 as the deadline for the Core Committee to prepare the map, saying even the Municipality would be in a position to have a bird’s eye view of what areas is yet to be covered and the areas already covered by the sewerage project.
The Court also expected the Core Committee to have a meeting in the first week of May 2025 and inform the Court about the steps which the department intends to pursue, depending upon the feasibility report as far as the discharge of sewage lines in low-lying areas is concerned, once the feasibility report is received from the PWD, which is informed to be received by the end of April 2025.
At the hearing, the Counsel appearing for the Margao Municipal Council submitted an affidavit playing before the Court a blue print of the process to be adopted for completing the de-sealing of the structures as well as the notices issued to be taken to its logical end, which includes the 16 commercial structures and 154 residential premises. In fact, the MMC Counsel assured the Court to complete the entire process on or before May 15.
On the question of adopting the vacuum technology to resolve the sewage woes in the low-lying areas of the city, the Court was informed that a survey was done to evaluate the possibility of introducing Vaccum Technology for sewerage, a fully automated system suitable for areas with high water tables and limited space. The amicus curiae, however, pointed out the survey report has not been taken ahead as the government advocate appearing for the PWD submitting that the feasibility of this mechanism is presently being worked out, promising to initiate further steps by the end of this month, upon getting a feasibility report.
Amicus curiae submits affidavit in Court, seeks issuance of directions
- The GSPCB be directed to permit de-sealing of the already sealed structures only after physical verification of sewage connection or soak pit
- The Council be directed to permit de-sealing of the already sealed structures only after physical verification of sewage connection or soak pit
- The Council be directed to immediately take steps to seal the 16 structures as highlighted in its Affidavit dated 01/04/2025 and in any case within 1 (one) week
- The Council be directed to complete adjudication of the Show Cause Notices issued to the residential establishments by 15/05/2025 as a last and final opportunity, by conducting physical inspection and verification whenever it is represented that there is compliance
- The Council be directed to complete adjudication of the Show Cause Notices from page 1166 to 1175 by 01/06/2025
- The Council be directed to comply with all the directions issued in order dated 19/11/2024 by 15/05/2025
- The PWD and the SIDGCL be directed to take Page 4 of 6 15th April 2025 PILWP 22 OF 2021 Immediate steps (temporary or permanent) to address the discharge of sewage into drains in the low lying areas as well as those areas where there is no connection of sewage lines
