But locals, activist, demand surprise raids on units
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: In a bid to monitor air quality in and around the polluting Cuncolim Industrial Estate, the Goa State Pollution Control Board on Monday installed two air control monitoring stations around the industrial estate.
The two monitoring stations ~ one near the Akamol Chapel and the other at Belatemb near the first entry gate to the estate ~ will start functioning round-the-clock from tomorrow (April 30). GSPCB officials informed that the monitoring stations will continuously maintain a tab on the air quality till May 25.
This is the first time that the GSPCB has installed air quality monitoring stations at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate, which has earned notoriety for air and water pollution.
Questions, however, are being raised over the effectiveness of the air monitoring stations from zeroing on the erring units responsible for air pollution, with locals demanding surprised raids and closure of factories for violating pollution control norms.
Petitioner Oscar Martins said he has already lodged a complaint against eight industrial units for releasing smoke without using the chimneys for the purpose. “I welcome GSPCB decision to install the air monitoring stations. But, I reiterate my demand for simultaneous surprise raids on all units”, he demanded.
