the goan I network
MARGAO
Inspection of the Cuncolim Industrial Estate and the area in its immediate neighbourhood on Monday by the Goa State Pollution Control Board confirmed that industrial dust has settled on vegetation and plants, indicating that all’s not well with the pollution control measures in the area.
While the team comprising GSPCB officials and local MLA Clafacio Dias had suspected a particular steel unit as the culprit behind the pollution, the general manager of the unit has denied its involvement, even saying that the industrial estate presently plays host to around half a dozen such units. After the inspection, a GSPCB official told the media that the vegetation in and around the industrial area has been covered by a layer of dust, apparently coming from the units operating in the estate. He, however, hastened to add that a comprehensive report on the inspection will be placed before the board higher-ups for necessary action. “The vegetation is covered by a thick layer of dust. It is clear that the dust has found its way from the units operating in the industrial estate,” the official said. The pollution is not caused by one single unit. It may be a combination of factors”, he added.
Cuncolim MLA Dias, who had called for the joint inspection, however, made it clear that people of his constituency will not tolerate any pollution in the industrial estate. “Today’s inspection was well publicised and hence the exercise gave a chance for the units to put things in order. Next time, it will be a surprise inspection and those units found violating the pollution control norms will be asked to shut down,” Clafacio warned.
The MLA said he would request the GSPCB to give 15 days time for the six industrial units to install pollution control measures before cracking the whip. “Within a month’s time, we will come here without any notice and those units found violating the norms will be shut down by the people,” he warned, saying that the people will take a morcha to the industrial estate to shut down the units.
“The industrial pollution has affected people in general and children in particular staying within a five-kilometre radius. This should stop immediately,” he said, adding the people will have no option but to shut down the units if the authorities are found wanting in containing the pollution.
