MARGAO
A Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) team has finally arrived at Sao Jose de Areal village to collect water samples of the contaminated water emitting a foul and unbearable odour in the village.
Areal villagers, including Sarpanch Carmeena Fernandes, along with social activist Freddy Travasso and Velim MLA Cruz Silva, have made a fervent plea to the government, including Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Environment Minister Alexio Sequeira, to send a team to identify the source of the contaminated water.
Activist Freddy pointed out that the last time the GSPCB team collected samples of the contaminated water, the report only noted the death of fish in the water, despite photographs showing significant fish mortality.
“We are happy that the GSPCB team responded to our demand and inspected the contaminated water. However, we are disappointed that other authorities, including the health department, police, and the Collector’s representative, did not join the inspection,” Freddy added.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva was firm in his demand that the GSPCB and other concerned authorities immediately identify the source of the contamination.
“No doubt, the GSPCB team collected water samples on Wednesday. However, in the past, the GSPCB had collected samples too, but the ground reality has not improved to date,” the MLA lamented.
Cruz added: “We demand that the authorities identify the source and stop the pollution. We want to know whether the contaminated water is flowing from the scrapyards or the industries. I had spoken to Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira, highlighting the pollution in Areal village. During today’s inspection, we noticed labourers inside the Nessai Industrial Estate, but there were no sanitation amenities for them.”
