Daijiworld Media Network - Margao
Margao, Nov 3: The Health Department has scheduled a joint inspection of sewage-affected wells, stormwater drains and sewage discharge points in Comba, Margao, following complaints about sewage flowing into drains and eventually entering River Sal.
The inspection, scheduled for Tuesday, follows directions issued by Health Minister Vishwajit Rane after a memorandum highlighting the long-pending sewage problem was submitted to him during his visit to the South Goa Collectorate last week as part of the 'Government at Your Doorstep' programme.
Madganvcho Awaaz and youth leader Prabhav Naik had brought to the minister's attention several problems plaguing the sewerage system in Comba. They highlighted repeated sewage leakages, suspected contamination of traditional wells and the discharge of untreated sewage into stormwater drains connected to a nullah that eventually flows into River Sal.
Following the submission, Rane directed the Health and municipal authorities to conduct an immediate inspection of the affected areas. He also cautioned Margao Municipal Council Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar against allowing political considerations to interfere with the inspection.
The latest move comes after the Goa State Pollution Control Board collected water samples from River Sal near the Khareband bridge to assess possible pollution.
Reacting to the development, Prabhav Naik thanked the Health Minister for directing a joint site inspection and appealed for continued cooperation to ensure a permanent solution to the problem.
"I thank Health Minister Vishwajit Rane for directing a joint site inspection of the Comba sewage menace. I appeal for his continued cooperation in ensuring a permanent solution. Madganvcho Awaaz will relentlessly pursue this matter until this long-pending issue is resolved," he said.
Naik said the Directorate of Health Services had scheduled the inspection of sewage-affected wells, stormwater drains and discharge points in Comba on Tuesday.
Expressing concern over the repeated sewage leakages, he said traditional wells in the locality were suspected to have been contaminated by sewage. He pointed out that these wells also hold religious significance and are used for activities such as Ganesh Visarjan.
He stressed that protecting these traditional water sources was essential and called for permanent corrective measures to prevent further contamination and safeguard public health and the environment.
The proposed inspection is expected to help assess the extent of the sewage problem and identify the measures required to address the issue.