Ravi Naik blames consultant for Ponda STP work delay

PONDA: Ponda MLA and agriculture minister Ravi Naik has blamed the consultant for the delay in the completion of the Ponda Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Kapileshwari, on outskirts of Ponda town.
Naik recently aid the consultant failed to conduct a proper study of the ground before undertaking drilling work for laying pipelines. Although the work order for the work was issued in 2016, the project is still pending, he said.
The nullah, once a lifeline of Ponda, Kavlem and Bandora, poses a threat to citizens as the release of effluent has increased the contamination level.
With the aim to clear the nullah from such pollutants, Sewerage and Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa had planned a 15MLD sewage treatment plant at a cost of Rs 33 crore.
The foundation stone for the plant was laid on February 5, 2016. However, actual work commenced in January 2018 following delay due to opposition by locals.
The work for the treatment plant has been awarded to Khilari Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, a Navi Mumbai unit.