MARGAO
A latest audit conducted by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has revealed that a couple of steel units operating at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate have been found flouting the pollution norms.
In fact, GSPCB Chairman Mahesh Patil told The Goan that action against the erring steel units for operating in violation of the provisions of the Air Act will be initiated later this month.
Ask Cuncolkars on air pollution by the steel and other units at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate and apt comes a reply that industrial units have been polluting the air with impunity since the time the industrial estate played host to the steel units.
Consider this. When the inspection team comprising of Labour Commissioner Agnelo Fernandes and the IDC, Managing Director descended at the Cuncolim IDC in March last to find out violation of labour norms, they came across thick black smoke billowing out of the steel factories not through the chimneys and furnaces, but through the windows and shed.
Reason: The units have not been operating the chimneys to channelise the smoke out of the factories since it involved huge cost on running the system, leaving the air and the surroundings polluted.
Promises to install in-built mechanism to ensure that the units operating the system in place and the industrial smoke goes out of the chimneys and furnaces is yet to become a reality till date.
