10 Dec 2023  |   06:14am IST

Sealed fish meal plants at Cuncolim Estate cleared for restart by Pollution Control Board

GSPCB cites compliance reports; locals and activists not convinced that pollution, violations will stop

Team Herald

PANJIM: Following the submission of compliance reports by two fish meal units in the Cuncolim industrial estate, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) Chairman, Mahesh Patil, announced the de-sealing of the establishments, allowing them to restart operations. The closures were initially enforced due to multiple violations. 

However, local activists and residents aren’t convinced that the pollution from these factories will stop, and have called for close and continuous monitoring of these ‘habitual offenders’.

Chairman Patil emphasised that there is room for improvement, revealing that the GSPCB has completed 80% of the audit on industries in the Cuncolim Industrial Estate. He urged all factories to implement necessary improvements within a given timeframe.

Patil also noted positive changes, stating, “The overall air quality in the Cuncolim Industrial Estate has improved, and water pollution guidelines have been adhered to, with sewage treatment plants constructed above ground.”

Addressing concerns about hazardous waste, Patil assured that the State government had sanctioned Rs five lakh, soon to be released. He added, “Hazardous waste will be shifted to an officially recognised site in the Ponda Industrial Estate.”

In response to a complaint filed by Cuncolim local Aviraj Fadte Desai, alleging massive illegal wells and unauthorised resource extraction in the Cuncolim Industrial Estate, Patil assured thorough investigations. Fadte Desai had raised concerns about the government's inaction despite complaints filed againt a steel and a fish meal plant in February last year.

Social worker Dr Jorson Fernandes, a longstanding advocate against pollution from Cuncolim industrial estate companies, expressed skepticism about the reopening, calling the companies habitual offenders. Dr Fernandes demanded continuous stringent monitoring by the GSPCB to prevent pollution.

In a related development in November, Margao Deputy Collector Ravishekar Nipanikar directed Global Ispat Ltd to rectify illegal conversions and land alterations in Cuncolim village. The Cuncolim Police Station was instructed to prevent further unauthorised activities and report to the Deputy Collector for necessary action. 

A checklist by the Mamlatdar of Salcete highlighted non-agricultural land use in Cuncolim village without prior permissions.