MARGAO
Former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes has demanded the constitution of a Joint Cuncolim Industrial Pollution Fact-Finding Team under the chairmanship of the South Goa District Magistrate/Collector to examine the range of pollution issues at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate and recommend immediate and long-term remedial measures.
He said the proposed team should have a clear mandate to conduct a comprehensive, transparent and time-bound assessment of the situation.
Underscoring Cuncolim residents’ right to breathe clean air and drink clean water, Gomes questioned whether people should continue to pay the price for “industrial development” with their health, dignity and quality of life, while statutory authorities entrusted with preventing and mitigating pollution remained ensconced in the comfort of their air-conditioned chambers.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, Gomes drew attention to the industrial pollution that has troubled the people of Cuncolim for years and said the issue could no longer remain unaddressed.
“During my interaction with several affected people, I noticed that many residents have reportedly stopped using well water because of contamination that they believe has affected their groundwater, with both biological and chemical contaminants. But they cannot escape the air they breathe. They have to put up with nauseating and offensive odours on a daily basis, particularly late into the night, compelling families to keep their doors and windows shut for considerable periods when foul odours reportedly fill the atmosphere,” he said.
He added, “People tend to blame the political class for their suffering. They may have reasons for doing so, given the longstanding allegations of bribery and corruption, which have not been refuted.”
Having served the State, Gomes, however, raised a fundamental question: “Should the statutory authorities, vested with powers and funded by taxpayers, remain oblivious to what is happening right under their noses? There are several such authorities. Yet, despite complaints from residents, there appears to be little visible enthusiasm for getting to the root of the problem and providing relief. It is time that, at the very least, the following authorities were called upon to act seriously,” he said.
