Authorities pass the buck over resolving issue
Sewage gushing from an overflowing sewage chamber and flowing into a drain.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Authorities passed the buck as sewage has come back to haunt the residents of Madel-Fatorda as overflowing sewage chambers has again raised a stink in the locality.
Beleaguered residents pointed out that be it the Sewerage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) or the PWD or health, they all push the blame on each other for the overflowing sewage chambers.
An inspection was conducted of the overflowing sewage chambers at Madel in the presence of Marago Municipal ward Councillor Francis Joanes, besides officials of the SIDCGL and the PWD Assistant engineer.
While the SIDCGL officials maintained that the work of upkeep and maintenance of the sewage line falls in the domain of the PWD, the Assistant PWD engineer simply avoided facing the media, saying he is not authorized to offer any comment to the media.
While officials of the two agencies passed the buck on each other, the local residents, including owners of business establishments were left to fend for themselves, as they had no idea when the SIDCGL or the PWD will stop the chamber from overflowing.
In fact, residents and owners of business establishments cried foul to the overflowing chamber, pointing out that the sewage has not only raised its stink, but is posing health hazard to the visitors and locals alike.
They pointed out that school children are forced to walking through the sewage water since the sewage overflows into the adjoining drain.
Ward Councillor Francis Joanes said that officials used to attribute the overflowing sewage chambers to the North Main Trunk line.
“The problem still persists despite the fact that the North Main Line has been replaced and connected to the underground sewage line. The PWD should find out blockages, if any, that has resulted in the sewage overflowing through the chamber”, Francis added.
A resident pointed out that they have still not got any relief from the overflowing sewage chamber. “When we complain to the Health, they forward our complaint to the PWD to solve the issue. The officials come and inspect the site, but there’s no solution yet”, the resident lamented.
