NT Reporter Panaji
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that registration of sewage tankers with the Sewerage and Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa Limited (SIDCGL) is mandatory, and all such vehicles must follow colour-coding and GPS tracking to prevent illegal sewage dumping.
Speaking in the Assembly, Sawant said 14 sewage treatment plants (STPs) are operational in Goa and listed ongoing sewerage projects in Porvorim (Rs283 crore), Colva (Rs120 crore), Ponda (Rs535 crore), Margao (Rs200 crore), Curchorem (Rs166 crore), Taleigao (Rs42 crore), and Navelim (Rs293 crore).
“We have introduced a GPS tracking system for sewage tankers. Unless they are registered with the sewerage corporation and fitted with colour code and GPS, we do not allow them to operate,” said Sawant. “Mustard yellow is the mandatory colour for these tankers. If they are not registered, people should not pay them for sewage transportation.”
He said the state has also launched an app-based system for booking sewage tankers and that treated water is being made available free of cost for construction and plant
watering.
The Chief Minister was responding to a calling attention motion tabled by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Carlos Ferreira, VenzyViegas, Cruz Silva, and Altone D’Costa. The MLAs raised concerns over overflowing sewage chambers, unplanned pumping stations, and the environmental impact of untreated sewage entering fields and water bodies.
Alemao said untreated sewage was seen flowing in paddy fields and roads in Margao. “The Economic Survey has flagged under-capacity in sewerage connections and inconsistent functioning of STPs,” he said.
Viegas alleged that the newly installed Colva STP has failed due to poor topographical planning. “Sewage has already reached fields. The STP should not be commissioned until the entire network functions properly,” he said.
Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral suggested that sewage chambers be made watertight during the monsoon.
