Panaji: It has been more than six years since around 45km of sewerage pipeline network has been laid for Porvorim, but the pipeline could not be put to use due to opposition to all the sites finalised to construct the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) itself. Finally, the work of construction of the STP began last year and sources said that it is expected to be ready for operations by Oct-Nov this year.The plant has now been constructed at Guirim after sites at Mapusa and Porvorim faced opposition from locals, fearing stench from the plant would affect them. The plant has now been built along the highway with no residential areas around it.The 20MLD project along with the pipeline network is being executed by the Sewerage & Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL). It will cost around Rs 3 crore.“The plant is almost ready. One main sewerage pipeline along the main road by O’Coqueiro is presently being laid. Once that work is complete, the first phase of the STP will be operational by Oct or Nov. The work of laying lines along residential areas, connecting these to the main pipelines has already been going on,” said a source.Earlier, the first phase was to cover only the Porvorim plateau and aimed to provide sewerage connections to 5,000 households. But some of phase II areas like Socorro will also be covered when the STP becomes operational.Phase II will cover Salvador do Mundo, Pilerne, and Pomburpa.The plant will benefit the residents of Porvorim, which is turning out to be one of the most congested residential and commercial areas of the state. Treating sewage in such areas is essential to prevent the contamination of groundwater.Once the Porvorim plant is functional, the cost of the STP usage will be recovered from consumers by adding a nominal sum every month to water bills.
