Toxic waste to be removed at Rs 13 cr cost from May 1; strict monitoring ordered
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launching development projects in Cuncolim in the presence of Cuncolim MLA and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa on Friday evening.
MARGAO
Taking cognisance of the pollution concerns raised by the local populace, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday assured the people of Cuncolim that his government will not allow red category industries at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
In another major announcement, the Chief Minister said the legacy hazardous waste lying at the Cuncolim IDC for the last 15 years will be finally carted away to the Pissurlem hazardous land fill site from May 1 at a staggering cost of Rs 13 crore.
The Chief Minister made the assurances after Cuncolim MLA and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao made a fervent plea to stop polluting industries including fish meal plant and the mega housing projects. Earlier, the Chief Minister launched seven projects in Cuncolim, including a 15-bedded Urban Health Centre, renovation of the Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial, underground cabling in Chandor and Guirdolim villages, panchayat ghars at Paroda and Guirdolim worth crores of rupees. The Chief Minister also inaugurated a futsal ground and a wellness centre at Cuncolim in the presence of Yuri, Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa and others.
“The Leader of Opposition made a request not to allow the fish meal plant in Cuncolim. The ETP of existing fish meal plant was not functioning properly, resulting in air and water pollution. The unit is required to treat the water and use the same for gardening and construction. They cannot discharge the water in the canals and fields,” the Chief Minister said.
While saying he has ordered strict monitoring of the operation of the industrial units, the Chief Minister assured that no red category industry, causing pollution and a health hazard to the people, will be dumped in Cuncolim.
On hazardous waste, the Chief Minister said his government has given the nod to spend Rs 13 crore on the transportation of the hazardous waste from Cuncolim IDC. “This waste was not created during my tenure. This is a hazardous waste left behind at the IDC over a decade and half ago. But, I have decided to spend Rs 13 crore on the transportation keeping in the mind the health and safety of the people of Cuncolim,” he added.
Saying he is honoured to lay the foundation stone for the renovation of the Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial, the Chief Minister reminded that the Cuncolim revolt holds historic significance since the Chieftains had revolted and fought against the colonial powers in the year 1583.
In his address, the Opposition leader made a plea to the CM to scrap the new fish meal plant proposed at Cuncolim and to stop the hill cutting at Panzorconne to pave way for a housing project.
Yuri further announced that the Cuncolim Freedom Fighters Park will also be renovated along with the renovation of the Chieftains Memorial.
Sawant calls for sustainable development
MARGAO: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant made no reference to the demand to scrap section 39A of the TCP Act during his visit to Cuncolim, the home village of Retired Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Ferdino Rebello.
During his address, Leader of Opposition made a pointed reference to the 10-point charter of demands raised by the retired Chief Justice, including ban on hill cutting.
Two days ago, prominent citizens of Cuncolim including retired bureaucrat, Elvis Gomes, retired SP Sammy Tavares and environmental activist Dr Jorson Fernandes had made a plea to the Chief Minister to take a call on the scrapping of Section 39A during his visit to Cuncolim on Friday to launch the developmental projects.
The Chief Minister, however, made no reference to the requests to scrap 39A, only making a mention in his address that his government believes in the sustainable development in the State.
