MARGAO
The High Court has directed concerned government agencies to act on the report filed in the Court by the Amicus Curiae in the Salpem lake pollution case, with directions to the Deputy Collector, South, and the Salcete Mamlatdar to immediately implement the Goa State Pollution Control Board’s orders for the sealing of business establishments and the closure orders issued by the Margao Municipal Council.
At the last hearing date, Amicus had requested the High Court to pass urgent and appropriate directions on a host of issues, including the implementation of the closure orders issued by the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) within one week from the date of the High Court’s order. The Amicus Curiae had further called for issuing directions to the GSPCB to seal the 46 establishments within one week from the date of the order.
The Amicus Curiae had also sought directions to the MMC and the GSPCB to continue conducting surprise inspections to ensure that those units shown to be closed, or those that have given an undertaking of no sewage disposal, comply with the same.
It was also requested by the Amicus Curiae that directions be issued to the SGPDA retail market to immediately make temporary arrangements for the proper disposal of sewage, either by soak pits, sewage collection, or another suitable method, within 10 days of the order. In case of failure, the operation of the SGPDA retail market should be suspended until compliance is ensured.
“There are photographs annexed to the report for reference. The respondents are to look into this report and ensure that appropriate action is taken on the issues highlighted in this report. The Action Taken Report by the respondents must be placed before this Court on or before the next date,” the Court had observed.
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Amicus Curiae report exposes rampant sewage discharge
MARGAO: Has the ground reality at the stormwater nullahs and water bodies, devastated by the rampant discharge of sewage water from Margao, changed for the better?
No, not at all, as the Amicus Curiae Neha Shirodkar, appointed by the High Court in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Navelim citizen, Prof Antonio Alvares, has found that water/waste/sewage is still being discharged into water channels and stormwater drains. Besides, plastic waste is also found in every stormwater channel, which carries waste/discharge water.
The Amicus Curiae also came across full-bloom growth of water hyacinth at all the water channels/stormwater drains inspected by the team. The team also observed floating substances in the water discharge throughout the culverts/water channels leading towards the STP plant.
For the sake of a better understanding of the issue in the present PIL and to observe the sewerage line connectivity, the Amicus Curiae visited the affected areas along with Petitioner Prof Antonio Alvares in January.
The team observed that the water channel at Khareband was carrying brackish water. It was further observed that pipe outlets from adjoining residential/occupational units were present at the site, with their openings directed towards the water channel.
The situation was no different when the team visited the SGPDA Market. “It appeared that the outlet of all waste from the market is being discharged into the major stormwater drain adjoining the Margao-Fatorda road, which can be observed at the market entrance/exit,” the report said.
At the Margao Wholesale Fish Market, the team found waste dumped on the border of the adjoining water channel, emitting a foul odour.
The Amicus Curiae observed: “When the team visited the culvert at Kudchadkar Hospital, Margao, it appeared to culminate in two ducts, collectively carrying all wastewater towards the STP plant. However, the said culvert is then diverted into two channels”one channel, which has a gate, carries water to the STP, while the other channel empties into fields.”
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SIDCGL told to file status report on sewage line to SGPDA fish market
MARGAO: The High Court has directed the Sewage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) to file a status report within four weeks on the laying of a sewage line connecting the SGPDA retail fish market to the underground line.
The court’s directions came after the SIDCGL filed an affidavit stating that the agency has issued a Tender Notice dated 17/02/2025 for providing, laying, testing, and commissioning of a sewerage network by the trenchless method, including the construction of manholes, a pumping station, a rising main, and reinstatement, etc., in the SGPDA market, Fatorda.
Meanwhile, the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) has submitted to the High Court that temporary soak pits are under construction at the SGPDA market, which will be completed within 15 days.
In this connection, the High Court has directed the SGPDA to file a status report on the next hearing date.
Although the meat stalls operating at the SGPDA have obtained consent to operate from the GSPCB, there is no waste facility connecting the market to the underground line. In the absence of a waste disposal facility, waste generated in the SGPDA retail market finds its way into the adjoining stormwater nullah, which subsequently flows into the River Sal.
