MARGAO, 11 November: Madganvcho Awaaz youth leader Prabhav Naik has once again raised concerns over the persistent sewage overflow in Margao, accusing the authorities of administrative negligence and questioning PWD Minister and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat’s stand on the Health Department’s involvement in addressing the issue.

Naik visited a residential-cum-commercial complex along Varde Valaulikar Road in Margao, where shopkeepers have reportedly been suffering for several months due to overflowing sewage. He also released a video highlighting the unhygienic conditions and the inconvenience faced by local businesses and residents.

According to Naik, repeated complaints to the Health Department, Margao Municipal Council (MMC) and other concerned authorities have failed to produce any concrete solution.

“While Digambar Kamat ruled out the Health Department’s intervention in Margao’s sewage leakage problem, he conveniently overlooked its serious public health implications. The plight of shopkeepers who have been suffering for months should serve as an eye-opener for the authorities,” Naik stated.

Expressing concern over the potential health hazards, Naik pointed out that dengue cases have already been reported in Aquem and other parts of Margao. He questioned why the authorities had failed to act despite the risks associated with sewage overflow and unhygienic surroundings.

During his visit, Naik personally contacted officials from the Health Department, Margao Municipal Council and Sewerage Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (SIDCGL), demanding immediate intervention and a permanent solution.

Recalling an earlier sewage overflow incident in Comba, Naik said that following his representation to Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, the Minister had directed a joint inspection involving the Health Department, MMC and SIDCGL.

However, Naik alleged that the proposed inspection was subsequently cancelled following the intervention of Digambar Kamat, who reportedly maintained that sewage leakage was an infrastructure-related issue and did not fall within the Health Department’s jurisdiction.

“Can public health be separated from sewage management? When sewage overflows into public spaces and dengue cases are being reported in different parts of Margao, how can the Health Department wash its hands of the matter?” Naik questioned.

He argued that infrastructure failures could not justify ignoring the health risks faced by citizens and stressed that government departments must coordinate their efforts instead of shifting responsibility onto one another.

Naik further alleged that political interference and a lack of coordination among government agencies were delaying solutions to serious civic problems in Margao.

Demanding immediate corrective measures, he urged the Margao Municipal Council and SIDCGL to address the sewage overflow along Varde Valaulikar Road and other affected areas on priority.

He also called for a permanent mechanism to prevent recurring sewage leakages and ensure accountability among the departments concerned.

“Margao cannot be held hostage to political interference and departmental blame games. Public health must prevail over political egos. Madgaonkars need solutions, not excuses,” Naik asserted.