NT Report | Margao
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Digambar Kamat on Tuesday said that it is mandatory for every household to obtain a sewage connection, warning that failure to comply could lead to penal action, including disconnection of water and electricity connections.
The minister said that under the Sewerage and Water Management Act, it is compulsory for every household to take a sewage connection, and the law provides for penalties in case of non-compliance. “The government has so far adopted a lenient approach, but citizens must understand their responsibility,” he said.
To ease the financial burden on residents, Kamat said the government has allowed payment for sewage connections through small monthly payments added to the water bill, instead of requiring a lump sum amount.
He said that in Margao, he had personally gone door-to-door urging people to apply for sewage connections, but some households continued to delay compliance. “Everything is not lost. People should apply immediately to avoid penal action that could include disconnection of water and power supply,” he cautioned.
Sewage and Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) chairman Sankalp Amonkar, who also spoke at the function held to mark laying of foundation stone for a 20 MLD sewage treatment facility at Sirvodem, said this was his first project since taking over as chairman. He said the new plant will benefit Margao, Fatorda, parts of Curtorim, Navelim, and parts of the Velim constituency.
Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar, who was also present, urged the SIDCGL to expedite the completion of the sewage network so that pending household connections could be released at the earliest. He said
Navelim constituency had been waiting for more than 15 years for sewage
connections and added that while most of the pipeline work was complete, new connections could not be released as the existing plant was already operating at full capacity.
