Margao: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) on Friday collected water samples from Sal river at Khareband, two days after residents reported that the water had turned blackish near the Khareband bridge. The samples will be sent for laboratory testing to assess water quality and the extent of possible contamination.The sampling comes amid growing concerns over the river’s deteriorating condition, with residents questioning whether the ongoing clean-up efforts are addressing the actual sources of pollution. They have maintained that the river cannot be revived unless sewage-laden nullahs flowing into it are tackled first.Meanwhile, Cavelossim sarpanch Dixon Vaz has accused the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) of failing to act against illegal hutments along the Khareband riverbank, which he alleged lack sanitary facilities and discharge raw sewage directly into the river.Citing a health department report, Vaz said the structures did not have the required no-objection certificates (NOCs) or proper sanitation arrangements. He demanded that the civic body be held accountable for allowing the unauthorised structures to continue operating along the riverbank.Vaz has also urged chief minister Pramod Sawant to intervene and ensure that sewage discharge into the river is stopped immediately.Citizens have previously identified five major nullahs in Margao, including the Old Market nullah, as key contributors to the river’s pollution. Studies have also identified seepage from poorly maintained soak pits, laundry effluents, slaughterhouse runoff and fish waste from the SGPDA wholesale fish market as major sources of pollution.Official data presented during the recent assembly session showed that dissolved oxygen levels at a downstream monitoring point had remained close to zero for five consecutive months, indicating a near-total collapse of aquatic life.In April, the GSPCB, PWD, water resources department, directorate of health services and MMC conducted a three-day joint inspection of nullahs and discharge points along the river in Margao. The inspection covered areas including the SGPDA markets and the South Goa district hospital. Residents are now urging the authorities to act on the findings without further delay.
