MAPUSA
The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) on Thursday decided to conduct a joint inspection of the Tar river by next week and to form a special committee to handle the issue.
This was decided at a special meeting chaired by MMC Chairperson Shubhangi Waingankar and attended by MLA Joshua D’Souza, MMC Chief Officer Clein Madeira, MMC Vice Chairperson Chandrashekhar Benkar, councillors, officials from Captain of Ports, PWD (road), WRD and Bastora Sarpanch Ranjeet Usgaonkar. Representatives of the Health department and deputy collector were not present at the meeting.
This was the first such meeting convened with officials and other stakeholders to take measures to stop pollution of the Tar river.
During the meeting, it was made clear that the Tar river is connected to various authorities, including the PWD (Highways), WRD, Captain of Ports, Pollution Control Board and Health Department.
Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza said the special meeting was convened to discuss suggestions on the Tar river issue.
“It is necessary to start de-silting work soon but it will take time to find a long-term solution on pollution issue. A 5-6 member committee will be selected next week after a join inspection,” said D’Souza.
Councillor adv. Shashank Narvekar claimed that the issue had remain unresolved on account of the health department’s indifferent attitude.
“Officials send notices but there is no follow-up after that. The issue is the responsibility of entire community and instead of blame game, we need to form a committee consisting officials, environmentalists and locals,” he said.
Councillor Sudhir Kandolkar said pollution in the Tar river would stop if a sewage plant is set up in the city.
“Some houses are from the Portuguese era and don’t have soak pits and as a result, sewage water goes into the river through the Nullahs. Around Rs 80 crore has been spent on this project and operations have been kept on hold on account of pending work on 45 chambers. This project must be taken up immediately,” said Kandolkar.
Councillor Kamal D’Souza alleged that the fish and meat markets in the municipality do not have licenses from the health department. “Sewage water and other waste from these projects are thrown into the Tar river.
The MMC should have taken notice of this,” he said.
Amar Morajkar suggested the de-silting of the Tar river to facilitate flow of water, while Bastora Sarpanch Ranjeet Usgaonkar said his panchayat would take up the work to desilt and get rid of overgrown trees in the river.
