VASCO
Amid 156 reported cases of diarrhoea at Prabhu Violetta Phase-I in Dabolim, directions issued by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) have revealed that the establishment had been flagged for sewage violations even before laboratory findings confirmed excess pollution levels in its treatment systems.
According to official directions dated March 20, 2026, based on an inspection conducted on March 16, the Board observed that untreated sewage was being discharged into the open from the premises at Alto-Dabolim, causing environmental pollution in the surrounding area. The establishment was immediately directed to stop discharging untreated sewage into open drains and nearby spaces.
The Board further instructed that sewage generated at the premises be collected in designated tanks and transported daily through authorised night soil tankers to the Public Works Department’s sewage treatment plant. This interim arrangement will remain in place until both in-house sewage treatment plants (STPs) of 135 KLD and 85 KLD capacity are rectified, made fully functional under the Board’s supervision, and the establishment obtains a valid Consent to Operate under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
The GSPCB also issued a show-cause notice, directing the establishment to explain within seven days why environmental compensation of Rs 44.50 lakh and Rs 12.50 lakh should not be imposed. The notice cited non-compliance with earlier directions issued on March 25, 2025, failure to obtain mandatory consent, and improper operation of STPs leading to environmental pollution through untreated discharge.
Subsequent analysis of treated effluent samples from the two STPs revealed that several parameters—including Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), ammoniacal nitrogen, total suspended solids, total nitrogen, and faecal coliform—exceeded permissible limits. The Board noted that the STPs were not being operated efficiently and were contributing to pollution in the area.
Invoking its powers under Section 33(A), read with Sections 25 and 26 of the Water Act, the Board directed immediate compliance and submission of a report within 48 hours, warning of stringent legal action in case of failure.
The sequence of inspection findings, prior directives, and laboratory results has gained significance in light of the diarrhoea cases reported from the residential complex, placing the issue under serious public health and regulatory scrutiny.
