MARGAO
A video showing a night soil tanker unloading effluents into the irrigation canal adjoining the Cuncolim Industrial Estate sparked outrage in Cuncolim, with citizens demanding that the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) step up its monitoring mechanism at the IDC.
The video shows a night soil tanker freely unloading industrial effluents into the water canal, substantiating the oft-repeated claims made by local residents that effluents and wastewater are being discharged into adjoining water bodies from the Cuncolim IDC.
Environmental activist Dr Jorson Fernandes said the incident has again brought to the fore questions over the total absence of a monitoring mechanism put in place by the Pollution Control Board. “Earlier, unscrupulous industrial units were discharging their effluents through borewells. Local residents raised a hue and cry, and the borewells were all plugged. Now, the units must have found an alternative by hiring night soil tankers to unload the effluents into canals and water bodies,” Dr Jorson said.
He slammed the GSPCB for the absence of a monitoring mechanism at the Cuncolim IDC to rein in violators. “When Cuncolkars are already waging a sustained battle against pollution at the Cuncolim IDC, the GSPCB has granted approval for another fish meal plant in Cuncolim. When the GSPCB has been a total failure in monitoring pollution, it has no right to grant approval for more polluting industries at the Cuncolim IDC and outside,” Dr Jorson said.
He demanded that the GSPCB order a detailed probe into the video showing the night soil tanker discharging effluents into the irrigation canal and nail the accused. “The violators should not go scot-free, but should be penalised by the Pollution Control Board,” he added.
