PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has put thecontractor operating the controversial casting yard at Bainguinim on the hookfor pollution-control measures and restoration of damaged roads, directing thatentire cost of installing and maintaining pollution-monitoring systems berecovered from the contractor.
The directions were issued followingcomplaints from residents of Kadamba Plateau about dust, noise and thedeterioration of roads due to the casting yard operations in the residentialneighbourhood.
The Bench, during the hearing on Wednesday,directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board to immediately install twomonitoring stations to measure air quality, dust levels and noise pollution inthe area.
The Court further made it clear that thecontractor must bear the entire expenditure towards setting up and maintainingthe monitoring stations, rather than passing the financial burden on to publicauthorities.
Taking note of the expected 14-month timelinefor completion of the casting yard work, the Bench also directed the contractorto submit a detailed, date-specific schedule indicating the various phases ofexecution.
On the deteriorating condition of roads, dustpollution and hardship to residents, the High Court directed that the affectedroads be concretised through RCC construction. The contractor must also restorethe entire site, including the roads, to their original condition aftercompleting the project.
To address traffic congestion on roadsconnecting the national highway to the casting yard, the Court ordered thedeployment of two traffic wardens. It also directed that water tankers spraythe entire area every two hours to control dust.
"As an interim measure, water spray gunsare being used twice daily... The casting yard be enclosed on all four sideswith 20-foot-high galvanised iron (GI) sheets. The site be covered with shadesand dust-proof nets," it said.
