MAPUSA
Rising pollution in Goa’s rivers sparked a sharp debate in the Goa Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, with the opposition pressing the government to take urgent measures to curb contamination of the State’s major water bodies.
Responding to the concerns, Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar announced that the Water Resources Department (WRD) will establish special sub-divisions in every division to closely monitor and analyse pollution in rivers and nullahs.
He also told the House that two state-of-the-art laboratories will be set up in North and South Goa to carry out detailed water quality analysis.
The announcement followed strong interventions from opposition MLAs who highlighted the deteriorating condition of several rivers in the State.
MLA Carlos Ferreira said at least seven major rivers in Goa have been polluted due to sewage discharge, mining waste and industrial effluents.
He pointed out that nearly 75 per cent of the State’s water bodies are contaminated and that three rivers from Goa feature among the most polluted in the country.
Highlighting a specific case, Ferreira said waste generated at the Mapusa market is discharged into a nullah that eventually flows into the Tar River.
He urged the government to impose stiff penalties and take stringent action against commercial establishments responsible for releasing waste into water bodies.
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao also criticised the government over the condition of the Sal river, alleging that nearly 50 per cent of the river in Salcete taluka has been polluted due to untreated sewage discharge.
He said despite crores of rupees being spent on desilting and cleaning works, the situation has not improved significantly.
“The fish eat the faecal matter and that fish is consumed by humans. Has the government studied whether the fish we eat contain bacterial contamination?” Alemao asked, urging the WRD to present a comprehensive and long-term plan to address the issue.
MLA Venzy Viegas said the Sal river was among the most polluted in the country and suggested plugging sewage outlets with geo bags, while Viresh Borkar called on the WRD to take penal action against civic bodies responsible for releasing sewage into rivers.
In response, Shirodkar said the proposed WRD sub-divisions will regularly test water flowing through drains that empty into rivers and submit periodic reports.
