MARGAO
An effluent treatment plant (ETP) to treat waste water generated in the market before it finds its way to the river Sal; a bio-methanation plant to take care of solid waste, besides Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) cameras will soon become a reality at the stinking wholesale fish market, thanks to the High Court.
At the hearing in the High Court, legal counsel representing the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) and the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) have given an undertaking to the court to carry out a host of measures to put an end to water contamination and safe disposal of waste generated in the wholesale fish market.
In fact, after the GSPCB legal counsel submitted that effluent treatment plant will commence operation at the PDA market as early as possible, the court accepted the statement, with a direction that the PDA ensures that the effluent treatment plant is operational in all respects.
To ensure that the ETP becomes a reality as per the time-frame set by the PDA, the court further issued directions to the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to process permissions expeditiously if permissions are required from any authority.
As far the CCTV cameras are concerned, the PDA Counsel submitted that the work of installation of CCTV cameras is in process and the same will be completed within a month.
On Margao Municipal Council’s proposal to set up a bio-methanation plant at the wholesale fish market, the PDA counsel submitted before the court that a meeting will be held with the MMC officials to identify the place to consider the civic body’s proposal for setting up the bio-methanation plant.
The court directed the SGPDA and the MMC to keep a vision to see that unauthorised activities do not resurface in the wholesale fish market.
The court issued directions after the legal counsels for the PDA and the MMC assured the court that there is no longer disposal of thermocol boxes in rivulets or water bodies. They pointed out to the court that specific areas have been designated and facilities have been provided for the disposal of the ordinary thermocol boxes. Both the legal counsel further submitted that the unauthorised retail sale outside the wholesale fish market has been stopped and regular steps are being taken to see that the same does not resurface.
Meanwhile, Margao Municipal Chief Officer Gaurish Shankhwalkar has convened a meeting of all joint stakeholders to consider the pending issues regarding the SGPDA wholesale fish market.
