GTDC directed to ensure Colva public toilet STP is operational regularly

MARGAO
Finally, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has been directed to ensure that the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) of the public toilet block at the Colva parking area is operational on regular basis at all times.

In a notice, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) pointed out that the observations in the report of inspection indicates that the GTDC is operating the unit in violation under the provisions of the under section 33(A) read with section 25/26 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 thereby causing environment pollution in the vicinity.

In fact, GSPCB Member Secretary Dr Shamila Monteiro has issued directions to the Executive Engineer, Project Cell, Goa Tourism Development Corporation to confirm that the treated effluent is within permissible limits as stipulated in the consent to operate. The GTDC has been further directed to ensure that no raw sewage is released in the surrounding areas, failing which the Board has warned of stringent action, including penalty under the Polluter Pays principle.

The direction has been issued under section 3(A) read with section 25/26 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, with the GTDC officials directed to submit compliance report to the GSPCB office within a period of 15 days from the date of receipt of this direction.

Failure to comply with the directions will compel the Board to initiate stringent legal action against you under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, without any further notice, Dr Monteiro further warned.

The GSPCB directions further assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that the Pollution Control Board had last week issued the directions to the public toilet contractor to comply with the directions, drawing flak from Colva-based social activist Judith Almeida. In fact, Judith had termed the notice sent to the public toilet a big joke, insisting the directions and notice ought to have gone to the Tourism Department, which owns the public toilet block.

In the notice, the GSPCB observed that thought the public toilet is being utilised by the public, the STP, however, was not operational during inspection.

In fact, the inspection team had observed that the STP area was locked and was not accessible to carry out the inspection. Upon enquiring at the pay counter of the toilet, it was informed that the STP is being operated during night for two hours, the inspection team further pointed out.

The notice further stated that after Colva citizens and village panchayat members caught red-handed GTDC Sulabh Toilet employees discharging raw sewage in Colva creek right on the beach, it is evident that the raw sewage was seen released from the STP of the public toilet into the Colva creek.