TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: In a bid to check sewage and waste discharge into River Sal which had led to large scale death of shell fish, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has issued directions to the Chinchinim Primary health centre and the Velim Panchayat to inspect and verify the houses and establishments and remove the pipes connecting the establishments to the river.
The GSPCB has also issued directions to Ms Hotel Leela Ventures to ensure that the pipeline leading to River Sal is immediately removed and compliance report submitted to the office by July 25.
GSPCB Member Secretary Levinson Martins has warned the hotel that failure to comply with the directions will compel the board to stringent legal action under the provisions of the Water Act without further notice, which may include closure of the hotel. GSPCB has maintained that the hotel has laid the two pipes without obtaining permission from the Board under the provisions of the Water Act.
“The pipelines laid in river Sal are believed to be utilised by your hotel for discharging sewage and waste water into the river Sal thereby leading to pollution of the river”, the notice said.
Meanwhile, in separate directions to the Velim Village Panchayat and the Chinchimim Primary Health Centre, the GSPCB has asked them to verify the establishments and houses that have laid pipes into the river for discharge of sewage and waste and remove the pipes under the Panchayati Raj Act and the Public Health Act. During inspection, the Board had observed that garbage, including e-waste (chargers, ear phones), besides plastic, shoes etc were found dumped in the river and along the banks at various places.
Both the Panchayat body and the Chinchimim PHC have been directed to file a compliance report before GPSCB by July 31.
