Key agencies fail to attend crucial meeting, raising doubts over the implementation of HC orders
The Core Committee constituted to address the issue of sewage discharge in the storm water drains in the commercial capital having its meeting as per the High Court’s directions.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Are the concerned authorities serious about addressing the issue of the rampant discharge of sewage in the stormwater drains, which later finds its way into the lakes and the River Sal, leaving the water bodies contaminated?
It doesn’t seem so if one goes by the proceedings of the Core Committee constituted to handle the burning issue of sewage disposal in the commercial capital.
Otherwise, consider this: the Core Committee, chaired by Margao Municipal Chief Officer Melvyn Vaz, was convened at the Margao Municipality on Wednesday, as per the High Court's directions in the Salpem Lake contamination Public Interest Litigation.
To the surprise of the agencies, officials of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) were conspicuous by their absence. No one from the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) represented at the meeting either.
Take note: the GSPCB has been directed by the High Court to seal 51 commercial establishments that have been operating without obtaining consent to operate. The SGPDA’s presence was also required at the meeting regarding the discharge of wastewater from the PDA retail market into the stormwater drains.
That’s not all. While Margao Urban Health Officer Dr Succorro Quadros made his presence felt at the Core Committee, none of the senior officials representing the PWD, Sewerage, Goa Infrastructure Development Corporation (SIDCGL), and PWD water supply were present. Only junior officials representing these agencies attended, but their presence was not of much help to the Core Panel, as members were keen to find out whether the agencies had drawn up an action plan to implement the High Court’s directions.
Left with no option, the Chairman of the Core Committee, MMC Chief Officer Melvyn Vaz, has decided to convene another round of meetings within a fortnight. He is believed to have told the representatives of the agencies to brief their higher-ups on the proceedings and to come prepared for the next meeting while cautioning that the High Court may haul the officials with strictures if the Court’s directions are not implemented in both letter and spirit.
Given that junior officials representing the agencies attended the meeting, the Core Committee may now decide that only senior officials should remain present for the next meeting.
Besides the Chief Officer, the MMC was represented by Municipal Assistant Engineer Lawande and Sanitary Inspector Viraj Arabekar. A MMC official, speaking privately, pointed out that the civic body would file an affidavit in the High Court highlighting the facts in the event the Court’s directions are not implemented on the ground. “The way the agencies deputed their junior representatives for the meeting shows their seriousness in implementing the High Court’s directions,” the official added.
High Court’s directions to the Core Committee:
- The core committee, as recorded in the order dated 21.11.2022, is directed to immediately convene a meeting and decide to take appropriate action/steps for the redressal of sewage discharge in the low-lying areas, such as Malbhat, Gandhi Market, etc., within a period of two weeks from the date of the order and file an affidavit of compliance within a period of one week thereafter.*
- The core committee is to suggest temporary/permanent measures that can be taken to prevent the discharge of sewage from the low-lying areas, such as Malbhat, Gandhi Market, etc., to prevent any discharge of sewage into the stormwater drains by the next date so that further orders can be passed.
