MARGAO
The Goa State Pollution Control Board’s report of inspection conducted on June 16 last stated that though the 5TPD bio-methanation plant at the SGPDA market is being operated by Margao Municipal Council; the Margao civic body has not obtained the valid Consent to Operate under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 from the Board.
The GSPCB had further stated that the observations and conclusions in the report of inspection had further indicated that the inefficient operation of the 5TPD bio-methanation plant at the SGPDA market, Margao is causing environmental pollution in the vicinity.
It had further stated that operation of the said plant without the valid Consent to Operate of the Board as required under the Water Act and Air Act amounts to a gross violation of the provisions of the said Acts.
During the inspection, the GSPCB had observed that the bio-methanation plant was in operation at the time of the inspection.
The discharge of digested slurry was seen from the digested slurry bed through an opening at the rear side of the bed. The slurry was seen to be flowing along with dry waste in the field area behind the bio-methanation plant.
As informed, the slurry has not been disposed since October 2022 through night soil tankers. Previously, the slurry was being disposed through night soil tankers to the PWD STP at Navelim.
The representative produced the latest gate passes for disposal of the slurry to STP at, Shirvodem, Navelim dated 16/8/22, 12/8/22,5/9/22, 6/9/22 indicating the slurry has not been disposed through night soil tankers since October of 2022 leading to the said discharge into the fields.
Dry waste was also seen littered in the area to the rear side of the plant.
Leachate was also seen to be flowing from the waste loading area into the storm water drain located outside the premises.
