MARGAO
In continued action against units discharging untreated effluents in the drains, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has issued directions to two more units, a distillery and an ice and cold storage plant to immediately suspend the operations.
The two units have been issued notices to show cause why the operations of the units should not be directed to be closed/ suspended. The two units have been directed to remain present before the GSPCB Member Secretary Dr Shamila Monteiro on September 29, at 11 am, to explain why the operations should not be shut down.
The GSPCB has directed the Deputy Collector, Margao in terms of the provisions of Section 33(A) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; to ensure that the operation of the two units at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate is closed/ suspended with immediate effect and a compliance report in this regard is submitted to this Board.
The GSPCB inspection report states that it was observed that the untreated effluent flowing from the property belonging to the ice and cold storage flowing into the storm water drain eventually leading into the nullah.
During inspection of the property of the cold storage unit, the team observed traces of untreated effluent scattered over the property. “Foul smell was also felt similar to the smell being felt near the boundary wall. The property was also seen filled with the fillings containing (rubbles and soil) suspected to cover the untreated effluent scattered over the property. The area near the boundary wall where the flow of untreated effluent was not accessible due to growing of bushes, it was evident that the discharge of the untreated effluent is from the cold storage unit,” the inspection report stated.
As far as the distillery is concerned, the GSPCB team observed that the waste water was discharged into the storm water drain of the unit, which eventually found its way into the pond. The source of the waste water was traced back and it was observed that the flow of the waste water was due to overflowing of the collection tank of waste water from floor washing, the report pointed out.
The GSPCB further observed that the collection tank was completely filled during inspection.
In the order, the GSPCB Member Secretary stated that the findings indicated that the units were run in a manner that amounts to a violation of Condition no.3(iv) as contained in the Consent to Operate Order issued by the Board under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, thereby causing environmental pollution in the vicinity.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader and Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao has hoped that serving notices on the polluting units at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate should not be just an eyewash, demanding that the government take concrete steps to address the issue of pollution.
Yuri, who had led the people of Cuncolim to stage a protest at the Cuncolim IDC on Friday, said the government should put a total stop to pollution and give relief to the people suffering from acute pollution.
Salcete Mamlatdar tasked with enforcing PCB suspension orders
MARGAO: Margao Deputy Collector, Ganesh Barve has said that the Salcete Mamlatdar has been instructed to execute the directions issued by the Goa State Pollution Control Board to ensure suspension of operations of the four industrial units at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
When The Goan called up the Deputy Collector on Saturday to find out whether operations of any of the four units have been suspended on Saturday, he said the GSPCB directions had come late on Friday, adding that directions pertaining to other units had come only on Saturday morning.
He, however, said that the Salcete Mamlatdar has been instructed to ensure that operations of the four industrial units, including a fish meal plant, a fish processing unity, an ice cold storage unit and a distillery are suspended.
