Apprehensions raised over installation of pumping stations in low-lying areas; petitioner to file plea in HC seeking directions to SIDCGL, PWD-Sewerage
The Colva sewerage treatment plant.
MARGAO
Even as the State appears set to commission the 7.5MLD Colva sewerage treatment plant (STP) after a long-delay, wary citizens, activists as well as elected representatives have sounded caution – not to rush with the commissioning of the STP till a thorough testing of the underground line, including the pumping station is conducted by the authorities under close monitoring by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).
Petitioner in the 2011 Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court, activist Judith Almeida has warned the Sewerage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) and the PWD, Sewerage against any haste to commission the STP. In fact, Judith has disclosed plans to file an application in the High Court at the next date of hearing of the PIL, with a prayer seeking directions to the SIDCGL and the PWD, Sewerage to test the entire line before its commissioning.
She also raised apprehensions over the installation of the pumping stations in low lying areas, including water bodies, demanding that the two authorities take a close look at the pumping station all over again.
Reason: Judith pointed out that she does not want the Colva sewerage line to go the Margao way, with the chambers overflowing every monsoon due to blockage of the underground line. “The line connecting the households and commercial establishments to the underground line is buried in the soil. As we know, Colva village is a low lying area. We have seen how the sewage chambers overflow in Margao during monsoons. We do not want a repeat of the situation in Colva. Soil and silt must have all entered into the line, which may reduce the carrying capacity of the chamber,” she said.
She added: “As a petitioner in the PIL in the High Court, I would like the SIDCGL and the PWD, Sewerage to check each and every chamber and the water, if found inside, drained out. Unless each and every opening of the house connection is capped and the audit is complete, the authorities should not commission the line.”
Saying she is filing an affidavit in the High Court on the Colva STP, Judith said the villagers should not hold the activists responsible for highlighting the contaminated Colva creek. “Why should the activists face the brunt of the villagers when it is the officials who should shoulder the responsibility for the work carried out the by the agencies,” she questioned.
Colva Sarpanch Suzie Fernandes has reiterated her demanded for an audit of the Colva STP before the commissioning of the plant. “The panchayat was in receipt of complaints about the shoddy nature of the work of the underground line. We don’t want our villagers to be exposed to a health hazard. In the fitness of things, the authorities first conduct an audit, assess the situation and then commission the STP,” the sarpanch added.
Activist Simon Rodrigues pointed out that pumping stations were found overflowing during last monsoons, adding that the government should not commission the plant in haste, but after conducting an audit.
July last inspection revealed low-lying areas submerged due to rise in ground water level
MARGAO: A joint inspection of the underground line on July 29, 2024 had revealed that the low-lying areas of Colva were submerged resulting in the increase in the ground water level.
A letter written by the SIDCGL to the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) on the Colva sewerage line, showed that “due to flooding, rain water is entering through the house sewer connection crossings in to the manholes in water logged areas. As the work of house sewer connections is in progress, the ends of sewer pipeline are open and not connected to commissioned sewer network/Pumping Stations through which rainwater is entering. Once the works of house sewer connections are completed, testing will be done and grouting/plugging will be carried out if required before commissioning”, the letter stated.
As activist Judith Almeida has received a copy of the letter from the GPSCB, the social activist has demanded testing of the line and implementation of all measures before the official commissioning of the line.
