MARGAO
Days after Cuncolkars vehemently opposed before the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GPSCB) the fish meal plant proposed outside the Cuncolim IDC limits, the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board’s proclamation to declare around 16,000 square metres of land in Cuncolim village as an investment promotion area for a steel unit outside the IDC has drawn strong objections from residents of both Ambaulim and Cuncolim.
Both the fish meal plant and now the steel rolling mill project are proposed outside the limits of the Cuncolim Industrial Estate. The proposed steel rolling mill has received in-principle approval from the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board and the Board has issued a proclamation inviting objections from the public.
Ambaulim villagers, bordering Cuncolim, have filed their objections before the Chief Executive Officer, Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board, Director of Industries and the Goa Chief Secretary strongly opposing the steel rolling mill project. Their opposition to the project is simple “ that the people of Cuncolim and Ambaulim are already chocking with the pollution caused by the existence of red and orange category industries.
Environmental activist Dr Jorson Fernandes said people of Cuncolim and Ambaulim are closely working together to oppose the proposed steel mill outside the IDC. “We had a meeting with Dr Mahendra Bale and Ambaulim panchayat members. We will soon unveil the joint plan of action to oppose the steel mill,” Dr Jorson added.
While citing a host of reasons behind the opposition to the GIPB’s in-principle approval for the steel mill, Dr Jorson cautioned that allowing extension and setting up of new red or orange zone industries in Cuncolim IDC will cause tremendous loss to the ecology and health of the citizens of the two villages.
Air and water pollution cases
The villagers pointed out that residents of Cuncolim and Ambaulim have been vociferously fighting since the last two decades against the pollution caused by the industries (Red and Orange Category) situated at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate. “The Cuncolim Industrial Estate breeds air and water pollution at the instances of the metallurgical industries (ferrous and non-ferrous) and the fish processing and fish meal industries situated inside the Cuncolim IDC. Pollution in Cuncolim has reached its optimum level with the industries already situated inside the Cuncolim IDC. Now, by virtue of the declaration of Investment promotion area, an area outside the Cuncolim IDC is sought to be used for the installation of red and orange category industries,” they said.
They recalled that two red category industries by name M/s Nicomet Industries Ltd and M/s Sunrise Zinc Ltd were stopped from functioning pursuant to order passed by the High Court of Bombay at Goa in Writ Petition No.376/2006. No steps have been taken by any authority to remedy the wrong and the people of Cuncolim and Ambaulim are continuously suffering.
No study on adverse effect on environment and pollution
Villagers pointed out that it is incumbent and vital to conduct a study as regards the prevailing pollution in the Cuncolim IDC and pollution likely to be caused by the proposed industry and its adverse effects on the locals living in the vicinity needs to be done.
They submitted that no study or expert or a consultant has been appointed in order to check the aspect of the effect that such proposed red category industry would have on water, air and health of the locals. It is submitted that in absence of any expert report or study on the subject of pollution especially in the Cuncolim IDC, no area can be declared as an investment promotion area.
No inspection of proposed area
The petition stated that the investment promotion area is sought to be declared in absence of any site inspection which would enable the Board to know the position at loco and without scrutinising the site position, this authority ought not to declare the same as investment promotion area. They submitted that the proposed investment promotion area is adjoined by surface water body and is also zoned as settlement as per regional plan 2021. Therefore, any industry (red category) cannot be established within 500 metres from the boundary of the residential zone and surface water as per the 2025 guidelines, which govern the Goa State Pollution Control Board.
Public outcry past two decades warrants consultation
The petition submitted that the people of Cuncolim and Ambaulim are chocking because of the pollution caused at the Cuncolim IDC. They contended that if industries are allowed to be set up beyond the IDC area without any study and expert consultation, than the say is in violation of the Constitution of India as right to life also includes right to breath in clean air.
