Daijiworld Media Network – Margao

Margao, Feb 4: The River Sal has once again come under focus following the authorities’ decision to beautify a 60-metre stretch near the Kharebandh bridge in Margao as part of a facelift initiative. However, residents of adjoining Nuvem have urged the government to look beyond cosmetic measures and undertake a comprehensive rejuvenation of the river from its origin at Verna to its confluence with the Arabian Sea at Betul.

Local citizens have called for a multi-pronged plan to curb pollution and restore the river to its pristine state. Social activist Zarinha Da Cunha said the River Sal is currently grappling with three major forms of pollution — industrial effluents from the Verna Industrial Estate, untreated sewage discharge, and rampant garbage dumping — leaving its waters severely contaminated.

Da Cunha alleged that unchecked industrial activity has devastated the river, with effluents entering through multiple outlets. She also accused the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) of failing to regulate pollution effectively.

“The River Sal is a freshwater river originating at Verna before it meets the Arabian Sea at Betul. Over the years, we have witnessed its gradual degeneration. There have been no serious efforts to restore the river to its lost glory. Piecemeal attempts will not help,” she warned, urging the authorities to establish a robust mechanism to stop industrial waste and sewage from flowing into the river.

Chairman of the Nuvem Biodiversity Management Committee, Jose Roque Andrade, echoed similar concerns, stating that years of industrial discharge and sewage disposal have left the river in a devastated condition. Recalling earlier times when residents freely bathed in the river and caught fish, Andrade said people now avoid entering the water due to health risks.

“The government must take up the rejuvenation of the River Sal in both letter and spirit by plugging all sources of pollution. Piecemeal measures will not restore the river. A comprehensive rejuvenation plan must be put in place and implemented on a war footing,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Water Resources Department has recently announced a plan to take up remediation of the River Sal near the Margao wholesale fish market on the Margao-Nuvem border. However, questions have been raised about the effectiveness of the pilot project, as sewage and effluents continue to enter the river unchecked.

Andrade said the government should avoid haphazard steps and instead initiate long-term measures that will help revive the river in a sustainable manner.