PONDA, April 17 -- The introduction of Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) in Ponda town and surrounding panchayat areas was initially welcomed by residents as a solution to safely treat and dispose off septic waste. However, even before the STPs are operational, sewage chambers are already recharging with groundwater, with water being pumped out to drain into gutters. Furthermore, these chambers overflow during the monsoon, raising concerns among locals about the feasibility of the project when it becomes fully operational.

In 2016, the government initiated the installation of STPs at Ponda, Curti, and Bandora to prevent sewage from flowing into water bodies. While work on the sewerage network and pipelines is ongoing, residents are worrie...