MARGAO
Residents of Cuncolim have threatened to take to the streets if the Cuncolim Municipal Council issues NOC to Shradha Ispat Pvt Ltd for dumping induction furnace slag/waste of finished products in the Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
Letters opposing any NOC to Shradha Ispat to undertake the dumping of induction furnace slag has also been forwarded to the Goa State Pollution Control Board with a plea not to grant any permission on the premise that the project will further aggravate dust pollution in the area.
Residents of Belatemb along with ward councillor Succorina Coutinho and councillor Shashank Desai told the media on Friday that people inhabiting the area have been fighting against pollution over the years and the Cuncolim Municipal Council should not take any decision that would only make them suffer.
Chaya Shetgaonkar demanded to know how can the Cuncolim Municipality or the Pollution Control Board ever think of issuing NOC to Shradha Ispat to utilise the plot on survey No. 317/1 for the purpose of dumping of induction furnace slag/waste of finished products.
“We the residents of Belatemb have been staying close to the industrial estate and have suffered acute pollution over the years. Why are these authorities foisting another dust pollution unit close to our residential area,” she demanded to know.
Ward councillor Succorina Coutinho said she had raised her strong objection to the NOC sought by Shradha Ispat at the Council meeting, while demanding that the civic body should desist from issuing the NOC in the interest of the people of Cuncolim.
She warned that in the event any permission is granted to Shradha Ispat to dump the induction furnace slag/waste of the finished product, the people will have no option than to come on the roads and stop the unit.
“Particles of induction slag flies in the neighbourhood, causing dust pollution. The factories at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate have caused pollution in the locality, affecting the health of the citizens. The Cuncolim Municipal Council should reject the NOC sought by the company,” she demanded.
Councillor Shashank Desai said people of Cuncolim had to bear the brunt of pollution caused by the polluting units in the Cuncolim industrial estate, adding that the civic body should not issue the NOC which will only aggravate the situation for the local populace.
“The CMC should not issue the NOC in the interest of the people. If not, the people of Cuncolim will have no option than to agitate against the proposed dumping of induction furnace slag,” he asserted.
