Goa plans penalties for non-compliance with sewerage system

The Goa government plans to impose penalties on households and businesses that do not use the sewerage system. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced these measures during the state's budget presentation on March 26, as part of a long-term sewage management strategy. People in areas with sewer lines will face additional charges. Residential connections will incur an extra 50% on water bills, while commercial establishments will see a 100% increase. The aim is to encourage the use of the sewage network by normalizing charges once compliance improves. The Goa Sewerage Corporation will oversee sewage disposal and handle the development of new treatment projects. The government has allocated ₹53.12 crore for enhancing existing sewage facilities in Panaji, focusing on improving sanitation to prevent water contamination. Recently, Goa launched its first vacuum sewer network system in Panaji. Chief Minister Sawant noted that many areas still lack proper sewer access, which affects sanitation and leads to environmental pollution. The new measures are intended to address these challenges.