A fresh proposal to set up a fish meal plant in Cuncolim has ignited furious opposition, with revelations of land-use violations, municipal inaction and political doublespeak fuelling public anger. The project has come under intense scrutiny after it emerged that one of its pro moters was previously linked to Goa’s most notorious sea food scandal, which shattered public trust in the State’s fish trade. Barely two months after his induction, the compa ny secured a crucial nod from the Goa State Pollution Con trol Board (GSPCB) to shift operations from Quepem to Cuncolim — a move locals describe as history repeating itself.
Just last year, Quepem residents forced the same project to shut down over unbearable odour and health hazards. Now, Cuncolim finds itself facing the same threat. Activists allege the company illegally secured access through land that the Cuncolim Municipal Council (CMC) had acquired for garbage disposal and public utilities. “Bribes have greased the way for this project. Why has the Municipality failed to block an illegal road being used for the fish meal unit?” an activist asked, demanding an inquiry against the Town and Country Planning Department if it ap proved the road. Documents show that the CMC received the project file on July 23, 2025, but took no action until September 2, when O Heraldo’s exposé sparked outrage. Only then did Chairperson Landry Mascarenhas issue a notice for a spe cial council meeting on September 9. Residents are demanding answers: Why did CMC sit on the file for over a month?; Why was no joint inspection held with the TCP?; Why was no stop-work or show-cause notice issued? And was the silence deliberate, waiting for a “settlement”? In a startling admission, Leader of Opposition and Cun colim MLA Yuri Alemao said he had no knowledge of the project’s approval by the Investment Promotion Board (IPB) until questioned by O Heraldo on September 2.
Locals were stunned. “How is it possible that our MLA, who even claimed in the Assembly that no fish meal plant would be allowed in Cuncolim, had no knowledge that CMC had received the file in July, when the Assembly was in ses sion?” some asked. Alemao has since written to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, conveying strong opposition from Cuncolim residents. But for many, his contradiction raises uncomfortable questions about whether political assurances are mere eyewash. The resistance is no longer just about smell or effluents. Fish meal processing is notorious for releasing toxic odours caused by compounds such as trimethylamine and ammonia, linked to respiratory problems, nausea, and eye irritation. Effluents can contaminate groundwater and kill aquatic life, with scientists warning that the damage is often irreversible. Cuncolim residents argue they cannot be sacrificed again, already living in the shadow of Sunrise Zinc’s un covered toxic dump and decades of pollution complaints. Experts stress that fish meal units are among the most hazardous industries to permit near human settlements.
Unless equipped with state-of-the-art effluent treatment and subject to independent health impact assessments, the risks to public health and ecology remain unacceptable. For a State still reeling from the formalin-in-fish scandal, the approval of a project linked to the same players raises serious doubts about regulatory oversight. Veteran activist Dr Jorson Fernandes minced no words.
“This is about governance failures, backroom deals, and be trayal of Cuncoliekars. Govt cannot kill locals. If authorities think we will stay quiet, they have forgotten Cuncolim’s history of revolt,” said Fernandes. Local activist Manjunath Shirvant warned, “If permissions are not revoked, Cuncoliekars will come on the streets. We will block this project on the ground if necessary. Enough of being treated as a dumping ground. We are united.” CMC Chairperson Landry Mascarenhas echoed the sen timent. “We have objections to the new fish meal. Even if someone powerful pressures us, we will not give permis sion. People have shown trust in us and elected us, and we will never betray Cuncoliekars,” Mascarenhas stated