NT Reporter
Panaji
Acting on a series of complaints over pollution in the Sal river, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has recommended a slew of measures, including desilting of nallahs, verification of septic tanks and soak pits, and extension of sewer lines to prevent discharge of untreated sewage into the ecologically sensitive river.
The recommendations follow a joint inspection carried out on April 15 by officials of the GSPCB, Public Works Department, Sewage and Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL), Margao municipal council (MMC) and urban health centre (UHC), in the presence of representatives of the Benaulim Congress block and village panchayats.
The inspection was prompted by frequent complaints of pollution as well as a memorandum submitted by local representatives.
The team inspected five locations, including storm water drains at the South Goa District Hospital.
Other locations are nallahs near Hotel Eagle Empire and Ravindra Bhavan, and the storm water drain near Khareband bridge.
The inspection focused on identifying possible discharge points and sources of contamination entering the river.
Following the exercise, the board approved recommendations directing the Water Resources Department to desilt and clean nallahs in Fatorda and Margao constituencies and conduct inspections along their course to identify illegal discharge points.
“The nallahs from the Fatorda and Margao constituencies need to be desilted and cleaned and inspections should be carried out to locate discharge points,” the board observed during its recent board meeting.
The GSPCB has also advised the Margao municipality and the urban health centre to jointly verify whether residential complexes between Bolshe Circle and Comba have functional septic tanks and soak pits or are connected to the sewerage network.
Housing complexes with 25 flats or more would also be checked for functional sewage treatment plants or sewer connectivity.
Special attention has been directed towards the Khareband area, where inspections will be carried out on priority. The board further recommended that SIDCGL and the PWD extend sewer lines wherever sewage discharge points are identified so that wastewater from households and commercial establishments is channelled into the public sewerage network instead of storm water drains and nallahs.
Officials said the measures are aimed at ensuring a time-bound reduction in pollution levels in the Sal, which has remained under scrutiny over concerns of untreated sewage entering the waterway.
