‘Work order issued to prevent sewage leak into Salpem lake’

Panaji: In the PIL concerning sewage from Margao leaking into Salpem lake, the sewerage and infrastructure corporation informed the high court that a work order was issued for the commissioning of a sewerage network at the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) market at Fatorda, which will be completed within 120 days.The work order was issued on March 17 for providing, laying, testing, and commissioning of the sewerage network by trenchless method, including the construction of manholes and a pumping station at the market at Fatorda, govt told the high court.The high court took the statement on record.The Margao Municipal Council sought more time to place on record updates on the high court’s directions to close establishments releasing sewage directly into water bodies.MMC told the court that proceedings were initiated against 317 establishments, which include 163 commercial establishments and 154 residential establishments. The HC sought composite affidavits dealing with the status of show-cause notices.The advocate general Devidas Pangam told the court that the order of closure notices to 46 structures issued by the Goa State Pollution Control Board was already implemented. Govt also informed the HC that temporary soak pits under construction at the SGPDA market will be completed within 15 days. The HC in Nov last year directed MMC to seal 46 establishments in Margao within four weeks or get sewage connections installed and claim expenses from the defaulters.The high court also directed MMC to take action against 64 commercial establishments operating without a trade licence within four weeks and instructed the municipality to inspect and check sewage discharge throughout its jurisdiction and take appropriate measures.It also directed the PWD division XXI and Sewerage Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa Ltd to complete the connection of the PWD sewage connection to the SGPDA market complex to collect all the sewage waste generated by the market complex.