Voice opposition due to pollution caused by the project
Sarpanch of Pissurlem Devanand Parab voices his opposition to expansion of the sponge iron plant at the public hearing at panchayat Hall. (Right) Residents attend the hearing in large numbers.
Photo Credits: Uday Sawant
VALPOI
The Ambe Metallic sponge iron plant operating at Pissurlem has been causing massive pollution in the past. For the last 20 years, the residents of the surrounding area have been facing health problems due to the pollution caused by the project, besides facing a shortage of drinking water. Due of this In the future, if the expansion of this project is given environmental certificate, there is a possibility of creating more serious problems in this area. There is a strong demand that the expansion of this project should not be given environmental certificate under any circumstances.
A public interest hearing was conducted in this regard by Goa Pollution Control Board in Pissurlem Panchayat hall. The citizens who were present in large numbers on this occasion strongly opposed it. Environmental hearing was conducted under the guidance of Sattari Taluka Deputy Collector Praveen Parab.
On this occasion, Pollution Control Board Assistant Officer Rohan Nagvekar, company representative, Sarpanch Devanand Parab of Pissurlem Panchayat, Shivdas Madkar, Sarpanch of Honda Panchayat, social activists of local area, representatives of anti-coal movement, environmental, farmers were present in large numbers.
Twenty years ago, the Ambe Metallic Plant project was set up in Pissurlem Industrial Estate, but the project was causing pollution in the area. Guidelines for pollution control are not being implemented. Due to this pollution, many villages like Pissurlem, Kumbharkhan, Honda, Bhuipal, Saleli Harvale are suffering. The dust coming out of this project is spreading in the surrounding area and due to this the natural habitat of this area has been destroyed. Similarly, cashew nut, coconut, betel nut, banana, rice cultivation in this area is destroyed.
Complaints in this regard were made several times. However, it was alleged that the management of the company and the officials of Goa Pollution Control Board did not take heed of the complaint. In his strong opposition in this regard, social worker and president of Pissurlem Farmers' Association Hanumant Parab said that this project is harmful to the health of the citizens and the agriculture and horticulture of this area. The Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary area is just a short distance away from the project. The management of the company has failed to give preference to locals in terms of employment. So far this company has not provided any kind of facilities to the locals.
Sarpanch of Pissurlem Panchayat, Devanand Parab, while opposing this project, announced that he would give up against this project if necessary. He demanded that the Goa Pollution Control Board should conduct a survey regarding the currently working project and take the local panchayat and citizens into confidence. Parab made it clear that it was advisable to shift the project elsewhere and strongly opposed the expansion of the project. Sarpanch of Honda Panchayat Shivdas Madkar said that GPCB has not given proper information about this hearing to the locals. Because of this, the hearing was said to be illegal. It is said that due to this project, the traditional dairy business of Pissurlem and Honda areas has been affected.
Social activist Abhijit Prabhudesai speaking on the occasion predicted the possibility of corruption in the permission given for preliminary approval of this company. He demanded that the government investigate and take action against those who have given preliminary approval to the project. Social activist B D Mote, while opposing the expansion of this project, said that the project has adversely affected the dairy business of the Dhangar brothers. Because of this, this family said that financial problems have arisen. The youth have asthma and due to this, the companyhas been urged to provide health facilities to the citizens of the local area in the future.
Subhash Desai, Vasudev Parab, Satyavan Parab, Saidutt Parab, Milind Parab, Pandurang Parab, Adv. Ganpat Gaonkar, Shailesh Shetgaonkar, Vithu Parab, Amar Parab Vilas Parab and others participated in this discussion. At the beginning Deputy Collector Praveen Parab detailed the hearing's overall information provided to all attendees. In case of expansion of this project in the future, the attendees also viewed on video the future implementation of guidelines.
