MARGAO
Setting a 14-day deadline on the Water Resources Department (WRD) to take corrective and preventive action in respect of groundwater contamination at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate, citizens of Cuncolim have demanded to know why a case should not be filed against the WRD officials for allegedly poisoning ground water in connivance with the polluting units.
A complaint was lodged to this effect with the WRD Chief Engineer by UGDP President Dr Jorson Fernandes and Gleston Fernandes against the polluting units at Cuncolim lndustrial Estate through borewells, affecting the health and life of Cuncolim citizens.
Dr Jorson and Gleston pointed out that the Cuncolim citizens have been affected due to regular bad stench emanating from the untreated effluents from the fish processing units at the Industrial estate.
The duo highlighted that while the units were permitted to dug one borewell, whereas it has been found that another 5-6 additional borewells are detected dug by the fish processing units by the ground penetration radar which have resulted in polluting the ground water of the entire Cuncolim area.
As the health and welfare of the people from Cuncolim and around is under threat, the complainants demanded that the WRD initiate prompt action so that people’s health is not jeopardised further. “The WRD is the custodian of our ground water. The WRD is duty bound to take prompt remedial action so that health is not affected further,” the duo stressed.
Both Dr Jorson and Gleston demanded that the WRD, being the custodial of the ground water, forthwith shut down the erring units. Failing which, the duo warned that people of Cuncolim will be forced to take necessary action against the department’s lackadaisical attitude and against the polluting units too for their ‘care a damn attitude’ towards the village and the citizens of Cuncolim at large.
