PONDA: Following complaints of muddy water being supplied to consumers, Herald has traced the source of the mining slurry to a huge mining pit at Codli, just 15 metres away from the banks of Opa River.
Herald traced the source of mining slurry with the help of a local activist Sandeep Parkar by travelling a distance of around 20 kms along the banks of Opa River.
Meanwhile, environmentalist Ramesh Gawas said, as per law, mining pits should be at least 100 metres away from water sources.
“Opa River is a victim of the mining industry. Instead of criticising the environmentalists for protesting against environmental damage, the Chief Minister should save Opa River,” Gawas said.
“Ironically, these are the same mining pits that store water from river basins, as they are below the level of river basin, and supply us water during summer,” he pointed out.
According to Parkar there are several mining pits on the banks of the Opa river, the ones nearby are filled with mud slurry.
Raising questions whether the water is safe for drinking purpose, the locals demanded that a study be conducted as they claimed to have found some mining particles.
Following the muddy water supplied to them in the last four days, the locals suspect it to be due to the mining slurry released into Opa River and demanded that Goa State Pollution Control Board officials inspect the entire river basin and mining pits located along banks of Opa River .
Parkar alleged that taking advantage of rains the slurry is pumped into Opa River which makes its way to the plant. Though the water is treated, it can be noticed from mud accumulated in water tanks and small utensils.
He said officials should immediately survey the river bank to inspect the mining pits to ensure that no slurry is released into river.
