Fuel seeping into nullah, say villagers of Dabolim

Vasco: After the recent incident of a well found contaminated with petroleum products at Matvem, Dabolim, the villagers on Sunday claimed that the fuel is now seeping into a nullah that passes through the village.

Speaking to TOI, a local said that a layer of an oily substance could be seen on the water surface of the nullah. “I am confident that this is due to the seepage of petroleum products into the nullah. This is dangerous to human lives and animals as it is inflammable. Vegetables grown in the village and next to the nullah could also be affected,” the villager said.

Panch member of Matvem, Nilam Naik said, “I have made repeated complaints to the authorities, but till date nothing has happened. The flow of petroleum products in the well has not stopped for the seventh consecutive day, since it came to light on November 27. However, on the other hand, the seepage of fuel into the nullah is evident. I had mentioned about the contamination of the nullah in my complaint to the Vasco police. I have demanded that an FIR must be filed in the matter, but no action has been taken yet.”

Naik sought to know from the authorities whether they are waiting for a disaster like the Dactolem incident where people lost their lives.