Team Goemkarponn
DABOLIM: Amid the ongoing health crisis at Prabhu Violetta, the Catholic Association of Goa has expressed strong solidarity with affected residents, alleging serious lapses and calling for immediate government intervention.
In a press statement issued on March 19, Association President Cyril Fernandes described the situation as a “pandemic-like tragedy,” claiming that contaminated drinking water from borewells, allegedly due to untreated sewage discharge from the complex’s sewage treatment plant (STP), has triggered the outbreak.
Fernandes stated that over 149 residents across five buildings have been hospitalised with severe diarrhoea, including infants, women, and elderly persons, leading to widespread panic in the area. “Families have been seeking assistance from government agencies and local representatives, but despite protests by nearly 1,000 affected individuals, no meaningful relief has reached them so far,” he said.
He further pointed out that multiple authorities, including the deputy collector of Mormugao, health officials, police, the Goa State Pollution Control Board, and the Food and Drugs Administration, have conducted inspections and issued notices related to sewage management. “Despite these inspections and directions, enforcement has remained slow, leaving residents dependent on limited PWD water supply while awaiting laboratory reports expected by March 28,” Fernandes said.
Warning of potential escalation, he said delays in addressing the issue could lead to more serious outbreaks. “Any further delay could increase the risk of diseases such as typhoid and may even result in loss of lives. The situation demands urgent and decisive action,” he said.
The association has strongly criticised what it termed as a lack of urgency on the part of authorities. “We stand firmly with the residents and condemn the indifferent approach shown towards their plight,” Fernandes said.
Placing a set of demands, Fernandes called for direct intervention from Pramod Sawant. “We urge the Chief Minister to personally step in to ensure immediate medical assistance, supply of safe drinking water, and necessary sanitation measures. A permanent overhaul of the STP system must also be undertaken without delay,” he said.
He also demanded transparency in the ongoing investigation. “All water sample reports collected from the site must be made public so that residents are aware of the exact cause and accountability is fixed,” he added.
Stressing the urgency of the situation, Fernandes said the government must act without further delay. “The residents and the local community deserve timely relief and a lasting solution. Goa cannot afford further suffering,” he said.
