Colva resort STP chambers idle, yet to be operated
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MAY 4
Day two of the inspection of hotels and restaurants close to the Colva beach has again revealed the same old story – though many of the establishments had the Sewage Treatment Plant facility in place, the plants remained idle for want of their operation.
Those establishments found operating sans the mandatory STPs have since been directed by the Goa State Pollution Control Board teams to immediately apply for the treatment plants before the Board cracks a whip against them.
Incidentally, inspection of a starred hotel, which was inspected on Tuesday, revealed the worst fears of the local villagers. Though the resort has a STP in place, the chambers were found totally empty, indicating that the plant is not put to use to save electricity costs.
Convenor of Colva Civic and Consumer Forum Judith Almeida, who accompanied the GSPCB team to the various establishments, said that time has come for the various authorities to act and rid the village of the mess. “The two-day inspection clearly shows that all is not well and sewage and kitchen waste finds its way in the storm water drains, leading to the creek. This has to be stopped forthwith”, she demanded.
Almeida said the local Colva Panchayat body also cannot shirk its responsibility as it is the licencing authority issuing permissions for the establishments. “We demand that all the agencies put their act together and rid the Colva village of the nuisance”, she said.
The Colva Civic and Consumer Forum is now awaiting the report of the Goa State Pollution Control Board to chalk out its future course of action.
Replying to a question, she said the Forum along with other villagers will play an active role to ensure that all directions issued by the Pollution Control Board are implemented in toto by the hotels and restaurants. “We will maintain a vigil that directions to the establishments are implemented in letter and spirit”, she said, when her attention was drawn to the fact that directions issued by the GSPCB normally goes abegging for want of infrastructure and logistic support with the Board.