ROHAN ASHOK KHAUNTE Vs. STATE OF GOA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard the learned Counsel for the parties.

(2.) Rule. The rule is made returnable immediately at the request of and with the consent of the learned Counsel for the parties.

(3.) In 2013-14, the State of Goa proposed a sewerage scheme at Porvorim. This scheme was planned to be completed within three phases. The amount sanctioned for the said scheme was Rs.283.50 crores. The Petitioner has pleaded that 90% of Phase I work was completed by laying network of 40.8 km of sewerage pipelines by spending an amount of Rs.124.53 crores. After that, in March 2018, the work was abruptly stopped by dropping the work of construction of the Sewage Treatment Plant (S.T.P.) at the site that was earlier earmarked for the purpose. Since then, no alternate site has been found, nor was there any proposal to proceed with the S.T.P. at the initial location. As a result, the investment of Rs.124.53 crores in laying the massive infrastructure of sewage pipelines continues to idle in the absence of a proper sewerage system, even though the residents from the area were suffering.