MARGAO
Agencies, including the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), Sewerage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL), and the PWD Sewerage, all keep their fingers crossed in the Salpem Lake contamination case as the hearing in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has reached a decisive stage.
This is because the Amicus Curiae appointed by the High Court in the PIL filed by Navelim citizen Prof Antonio Alvares has asked the High Court to issue a series of directions to the agencies for the proper, full, and effective redressal of the grievances raised in the writ petition, considering the replies filed by the agencies in their affidavits.
When the matter came up for hearing in the High Court on Wednesday, the Amicus Curiae submitted a brief note suggesting that directions be issued to the agencies to ensure they comply with the affidavits filed before the court on the last date of hearing.
At the last date of hearing, the Margao Municipal Council and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) had filed their respective affidavits before the High Court, shedding light on the status of the action initiated against the erring households and commercial establishments discharging sewage and wastewater into the stormwater drains.
Amongst a host of directions, the Amicus Curiae has proposed to the High Court that it issue a direction to the Margao Municipal Council to inspect and check sewage discharge throughout its jurisdiction, and consequently take appropriate steps/measures/action.
The Amicus Curiae has further asked the Court to issue directions to the Core Committee to immediately convene a meeting and decide on the appropriate action/steps for the redressal of sewage discharge in the low-lying areas, such as Malbhat, Gandhi Market, etc.
Directions proposed for MMC
The Margao Municipal Council be directed to complete the adjudication of all the Show Cause Notices (commercial and residential) within four weeks from the date of the order, and file an affidavit of compliance within one week.
The MMC be directed to inspect, verify, and confirm the compliance of obtaining sewage connections by the 12 establishments within four weeks from the order and file an affidavit of compliance within one week thereafter.
The MMC be directed to take action against the 45 establishments within two weeks from the date of the order. The Amicus Curiae has suggested that the MMC should either seal the establishments, or, in the alternative, invoke its powers under Section 208 of the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968, by itself getting the sewage connections and thereafter claim the expense from the concerned defaulter and file an affidavit of compliance within one week thereafter.
The MMC be directed to take action against the 64 commercial establishments operating without a trade licence.
The MMC be directed to inspect, identify, and take appropriate action regarding the flow in the nallah near Kudchadkar Hospital, as indicated by the Margao Municipal Council in its affidavit.
Directions for GSPCB
The Goa State Pollution Control Board be directed to take action, including sealing the 51 commercial establishments, which neither have consent to operate nor have made an application for consent to operate.
The GSPCB be directed to decide the applications made by the defaulters for obtaining consent to operate within two weeks of its receipt, after proper inspection and checking of proper sewage disposal, in terms of law, and if the same is/are rejected, then the GSPCB be directed to immediately seal the premises.
The GSPCB be directed to issue and decide the Show Cause Notice against the Assistant Engineer, Sub Division I, Works Division XXI (PHE), PWD, Margao, for the treated discharge from the 6.7 MLD STP having excess fecal coliform.
Directions for SIDCGL & PWD Division XXI
The Sewerage and Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd and PWD Division XXI be directed to consider and take appropriate measures in terms of the recommendations made by the GSPCB, i.e., installation of a Phyrotid bed treatment system along the nallah flowing into the Salpem Lake, and to establish in-stream treatment with a Phyrotid bed.
The PWD Division XXI and SIDCGL be directed to complete the connection of the PWD sewage connection to the SGPDA retail market complex for the collection of all the sewage waste generated by the SGPDA market complex.
