Show cause notice issued; residents warn of disease outbreak risk
Mapusa: A pool of sewage mixed with garbage has accumulated between residential buildings at Ektanagar Housing Board Colony in Mapusa for over three to four months due to broken sewerage lines and overflowing soak pits.
The Mapusa Urban Health Centre has issued a show cause notice to residents, directing them to take immediate corrective measures. Authorities
have warned that failure to comply may result in strict action, including disconnection of water and electricity supply.
“There are around 72 flats here and many people are residing in these flats and have raised their issue with MMC, MLA for redressal. However, despite major health concerns and since this place can lead to outbreak of dengue or malaria, no solution has come forth,” said social worker and Shiv Sena leader Jitesh Kamat.
Kamat said they have never seen such a situation anywhere in Goa as seen at the Housing Board Colony in Mapusa.
The flats were constructed and sold by Goa Housing Board. However, no formal housing society was formed after the sale, resulting in a lack of proper maintenance, said a source.
Locals said most flats are rented out, while only a few owners reside there. These residents had earlier spent money on repairs, but within months the situation returned to square one.
The problem is compounded by the area’s topography, with wastewater from higher elevations flowing down and collecting near lower-lying structures. As a result, existing soak pits are not functional. In addition, sewage pipes from neighbouring flats are broken, leading to untreated water being discharged into open space, turning the area into a breeding ground. Garbage is also being dumped at the site.
“After the sale of flats, it was the responsibility of the Goa Housing Board to form a housing society so that maintenance could be undertaken. In this situation, the Housing Board should step in and take corrective measures to resolve the issue,” said Kamat.
When contacted, local councillor Ashirwad Khorjuvekar said that the flats were built by the Goa Housing Board for small families, but many units are now rented out, leading to overcrowding and pressure on sewage tanks.
“The problem is that residents are not ready to form society. If society is formed, then they can have a small STP unit which can resolve the issue,” said Khorjuvekar.
