Panaji: In a strongly worded communication to Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes has raised serious concerns over what he termed as “criminal negligence” in sewage management, linking recent environmental and public health incidents in Dabolim, Vasco, and Panaji to systemic administrative failure.

Highlighting two major incidents, the MP referred to the contamination crisis at a housing complex in Dabolim, where untreated sewage allegedly mixed with potable water, and the deteriorating condition of the Mèrces Vaddem creek in Vasco, where sewage discharge, stagnant water, and waste accumulation have created a severe health hazard. Residents in the area are reportedly grappling with unbearable stench, mosquito breeding, and fears of water-borne diseases.

Fernandes also drew attention to the alarming situation at Mala Lake in Panaji, where a large number of fish were found dead overnight, turning the water body into what locals described as a “floating graveyard.” He pointed out that the incident could be linked to contamination, oxygen depletion, or possible sewage-related pollution, indicating a deeper ecological crisis.

Calling the incidents not mere administrative lapses but a “collapse of governance,” the MP held the Goa Sewerage Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) accountable. He alleged that the Corporation’s Chairman has failed in his responsibilities, further claiming a breakdown in coordination within the institution that has contributed to the ongoing crisis.

The letter also raises concerns about alleged mismanagement, lack of vigilance, and a growing perception that priorities within the department have shifted away from public service. Fernandes warned that if urgent corrective measures are not taken, Goa could be heading towards a full-scale sewage disaster.

He has demanded immediate action, including a high-level independent inquiry into both the Vasco creek pollution and Mala Lake incident, forensic testing of water quality, and strict accountability for failures within the sewerage department. The MP has also called for urgent on-ground restoration efforts and a review of the Corporation’s leadership, suggesting that the current Chairman should step down in view of repeated failures.

Emphasising the urgency of the situation, Fernandes stated that the people of Goa deserve clean water, safe surroundings, and a responsive government, urging immediate intervention to prevent further escalation of the crisis.