PANAJI
The Union Ministry of Water Resources (Jal Shakti) has informed the Rajya Sabha that a project for sewage treatment of 12.5 MLD has been implemented at Panaji under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) at a cost of Rs 14.09 crore to manage the pollution of Mandovi waters.
The information came to light through a reply tabled by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resource, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation to a question by Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brian during the ongoing session of the Rajya Sabha.
“This Ministry, through the centrally sponsored scheme of NRCP has been supplementing efforts of the States and Union Territories by providing financial and technical assistance in abatement of pollution in identified stretches of rivers, excluding river Ganga and its tributaries, on cost sharing basis. To address the pollution concerns of River Mandovi, one project for sewage treatment of 12.5 million litres per day (mld) at Panaji has been implemented under NRCP at a cost of Rs.14.09 crore,” the reply states.
The question primarily focused on the possible pollution caused by the six off-shore casino vessels floating in River Mandovi.
“In case of pollution in River Mandovi due to operation of offshore casinos, it has been informed that wastewater discharge line is sealed by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and Captain of Ports after transfer of wastewater from casino vessels to the sewage barge. Casinos are also monitored every four months by the committee constituted by National Green Tribunal,” the Union Ministry has said in its reply.
The reply referred to the water audit conducted of six floating casino vessels operating in River Mandovi at Panaji by TUV SUD South Asia Pvt Ltd as per the directions issued to the GSPCB by NGT.
The audit was conducted to identify and evaluate potential environmental impacts, especially due to disposal of sewage with the operation of these casinos.
However, the audit report submitted in early 2020 to the GSPCB indicated that there are no adverse environmental impacts of the operation of these vessels.
GSPCB further informed the Union Ministry that the little impact, if any, would be readily addressed through mitigation measures outlined in the Environmental and Social Management Plan.
