Villagers call for immediate GSPCB inspection and strict action against offenders
Waste is being disposed of by burning in one of the sheds at the Nessai Industrial Estate.
MARGAO
Sao Jose de Areal village witnessed an uproar on Sunday after locals found waste being burnt in an industrial shed at the Nessai Industrial Estate located just metres away from the Goa Industrial Development Corporation office.
Social activist Freddy Travasso and other local villagers cried foul over the waste burning in the shed, saying the smoke and fumes emanating from the shed has caused pollution in the residential locality.
Travasso has made a fervent plea to the Goa State Pollution Control Board to conduct an inspection of the shed to verify the items that have been disposed of by burning. He also made an impassioned plea to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the Minister of Environment to order an inquiry into the waste burning and bring the culprits to book.
“The Nessai Industrial Estate was set up in Sao Jose de Areal village decades ago to provide employment to the locals. Leave alone employment, the industrial estate has been converted into a dump yard affecting the health and lives of the local citizens,” he said.
He said the IDC field officials should conduct a thorough probe into the waste burning activity.
“Waste burning is an offence under the law. Even the National Green Tribunal has issued guidelines to the State Pollution Control Boards to come down heavily on waste burning with hefty fines,” Travasso pointed out.
