MARGAO
Cuncolim Municipal Council upped the ante against pollution at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate as the city fathers demanded that the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) crack the whip against the polluting units.
A delegation of Cuncolim Municipal Councillors led by civic chief Landry Mascarenhas called on GSPCB Chairman Levinson Martins and handed over a memorandum demanding a stop to the industrial pollution. The delegation highlighted the resolution adopted by the Council on the serious issue of pollution caused by the fish meal plant at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
The delegation also took up with the GSPCB Chairman the issue of the proposed fish meal plant outside the IDC.
After giving the delegation a patient hearing, the GSPCB chairman assured them that the Board would conduct a comprehensive study on the pollution at the Cuncolim IDC, with stress on the fish meal plant. On the new fish meal plant proposed outside the Cuncolim IDC, Martins explained to the delegation that the Board is required to act as per the laid-down specifications, including technical and scientific requirements, before granting approval for any industrial units.
CMC chairperson Mascarenhas told 'The Goan' that the delegation of Councillors impressed upon the GSPCB Chairman the acute pollution at the Cuncolim IDC, demanding action against the polluting units. “Most of the Cuncolim Municipal Councillors, barring three, joined the delegation to express their concern over the rising pollution at the Cuncolim IDC. We have all impressed upon the GSPCB Chairman to initiate action and shut down the polluting units,” Landry said.
He recalled that the Cuncolim Municipal meeting had adopted a resolution seeking action against the serious issue of pollution allegedly caused by the fish meal plant.
The resolution had urged the Municipal Council to take immediate action on the complaint regarding pollution caused by the fish meal plant and to direct the concerned unit to stop all polluting activities and adopt proper waste-management and pollution-control measures as per environmental regulations.
The resolution was adopted after the Councillors informed that the unit is reportedly releasing a foul odour. Claiming that smoke and wastewater were entering the surroundings and causing great inconvenience to nearby residents, the city fathers further stated that this pollution is posing a health hazard to the community and creating severe discomfort to the people residing near the industrial area. The councillors requested that the matter be taken on priority and that immediate action be initiated by the Council to address the situation and ensure public safety.
At the meeting, the chairperson had assured the Council that the matter would be examined, and necessary instructions would be issued to the concerned departments to take strict action. It was also informed that the industrial unit would be directed to stop all polluting activities and to provide details of its waste-management practices for verification.
