MARGAO
After a protracted legal battle spanning 14 years, the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum (CCCF) regarding the discharge of sewage by commercial establishments into the Colva creek has finally reached its conclusion.
The High Court has expressed satisfaction over the steps taken by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to curb the menace of sewage discharge into the sea and, more specifically, into the Colva creek.
The PIL, originally filed in 2011 by CCCF Secretary and social activist Judith Almeida, raised serious concerns about the actions of various hotels, restaurants, and beach shacks on Colva beach. These establishments were found to be discharging waste directly into the sea or channeling it through drains into the Colva creek -- a water body stretching over a kilometer before merging into the sea.
While the PIL remained pending, significant infrastructural developments were initiated, including the commissioning of a 7.5 MLD (million liters per day) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Colva. This facility was designed to handle waste generated by local hotels, commercial outlets, and residences. However, questions remain over its actual effectiveness, particularly in light of the lukewarm response from stakeholders towards connecting their premises to the underground sewage network developed at significant public expense.
While disposing the PIL, the High Court noted “since we are satisfied that all necessary steps have been taken by the Goa Pollution Control Board to address the grievances raised in the petition – filed more than a decade ago -- and given the follow-up action over the years, we deem it appropriate to dispose of the petition, expressing our satisfaction with the measures undertaken to curb the menace of waste disposal into the sea, particularly the Colva Creek”.
This order came following a categorical statement by the GSPCB’s Counsel confirming that inspections had been conducted based on suggestions by the petitioners and that the compliance report covered almost all commercial establishments on Colva beach.
The Court took cognizance of GSPCB’s Counsel when he made a categorical statement that the petitioner will be at liberty to correspond with the Pollution Control Board if they have any grievance in respect of any other entity violating the norms.
Additionally, the Court took note of a detailed status report outlining the current sewage disposal methods adopted by 43 commercial units located in Colva, Vanelim, Sernabatim, and Gaundalim.
The report highlighted letters issued to these units instructing them to apply for sewer connections.
Importantly, the Court also recognized the GSPCB’s inspection findings, which confirmed that the STP was operational and being used to treat sewage from public toilet blocks. The report further affirmed that the treated water was being reused, as intended.
With this, the long-standing legal battle comes to a close, though questions around on-ground implementation and compliance still linger.
