Sewerage works delay restoration of Ponda roads

Ponda: Failing to comply with the Collector’s order to restore the roads dug up in Ponda town before May 15, Sewerage and Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) workers were seen busy working on chamber construction of Ponda’s sewage treatment plant (STP) in the midst of rain.

However, it has been causing traffic snarls at several points in the town, while also increasing chances of accidents.

As per information, in Ponda and neighbouring areas roads are yet to be restored at around 18 points where pits have been dug.

Out of these 18 pits, some pits are filled with soil while the levelling of remaining is in progress.

According to SIDCGL officials, micro tunneling work was going on at a slow pace due to presence of hard rock while the lockdown also delayed the work for nearly 40 days.

“In Ponda municipal area, refilling work of 4 pits is in progress and will be completed by this week. Following it, road restoration will be taken up. Two pits of micro tunneling which are of higher depth near civil court will be refilled later this month,” SIDCGL engineer Pradeep Gaude informed, while speaking to this daily.

Gaude informed that the overall progress of work under sewerage scheme for Ponda is 90.63 per cent, that is, 108.02-km of sewer network has been completed with 2576 manholes.

It should be noted that the South Goa Collector had ordered the SIDCGL to restore the dug up roads before May 15 to avoid inconvenience to the people in monsoon. But despite the fact, SIDCGL is struggling to refill the pits and roads are left unrestored.