MARGAO
Social activist Judith Almeida has on Sunday said the Central Pollution Control Board’s report on sea contamination off Goa’s beach belt has exposed hollow the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) for its failure to tighten its screws on establishments discharging untreated sewage in the sea.
The activist has further said the time has finally come for the High Court to crack a whip against the erring commercial establishments and mega housing societies for releasing untreated sewage into the creek, which later finds its way into the Arabian Sea.
Almeida had knocked the doors of the High Court in the year 2011 with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) under the banner of Colva Civic and Consumer Forum with a plea to stop the establishments, mostly hotels and restaurants in the tourist village of Colva.
Much water has flown down the river Sal over the last one decade with the High Court passing a host of orders to get the system activated, culminating in the government setting in motion the process to set up a sewage treatment plant at Colva. “I really do not know why the STP plant which is set up at Colva is still not commissioned. But, I feel that the time has now come for the High Court to crack a whip against the erring establishments and also pull up the government agencies for dragging its feet to commission the STP,” Judith said.
The social activist said the CPCB’s revelation on the contamination of sea water off Goa’s coast with faecal coliform has completely exposed the Goa State Pollution Control Board. “The GSPCB should explain to the people of Goa the reasons behind the high presence of faecal coliform level in the sea, who’s responsible for the present situation and what had stopped the Board from initiating action against the violators?,” she asked.
