PANJIM: In a bid to control pollution in River Mandovi, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has directed 30 village panchayats (VPs) located along the river banks to survey residential and commercial establishments situated along the stretch involved in discharging sewage into the river or other source of river water. GSPCB has warned it will initiate criminal prosecution against panchayats that fail to act.
The Board has also directed the panchayats to penalize those involved in littering in public places, which is prohibited under the Goa Non-biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act 1996.
GSPCB in an order issued under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, has asked the panchayats and Directorate of Health Services (DHS) to ensure that the residential and commercial establishments make adequate arrangement for disposal of sewage such as septic tanks and soak pits.
“An area wise detailed survey of all residences, residential complexes and establishments along the banks of the river Mandovi including creeks, streams or any other water body emptying into the river having or not having discharge into river and provide detailed list of such establishments and once the discharge points have been identified, same to be immediately removed effectively and permanently,” the order issued by GSPCB member secretary Levinson Martins states.
This includes the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) that has to identify and act upon sewage connections discharging waste into the St Inez creek.
As reported earlier, National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and GSPCB in their study had declared River Mandovi to be the most polluted river in the State due to high level of coliform bacteria in the river water mainly due to release of raw sewage and rampant dumping of garbage.
Directing the panchayats to submit a detailed village plan with regard to the layout of storm water drain connected to the River, the Board has sought comprehensive report on the directions within the next seven days. “The failure to comply with the directions will compel the Board to initiate legal action as per the provisions of the Water Act which include criminal prosecution without further notice,” Martins said.
