MAPUSA: The village panchayat of Colvale has made a written complaint to the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) about the release of toxic and chemical waste into agricultural fields by a huge scrapyard.
It may be recalled that on Tuesday, the panchayat, along with a health officer visited the site where chemical and toxic waste water was being released from a huge scrapyard into a field near the Colvale power grid close to the National Highway. The inspection which was carried out on the basis of a complaint filed by a farmer alleging that his field has been contaminated due to the discharge of chemical waste water.
The letter submitted to the GSPCB stated that the scrapyard was burning their scrap material during the night and causing air pollution. At the same time toxic and chemical waste was being released into agricultural fields further leading to their contamination. The panchayat added that they had informed the GSPCB about this matter earlier.
Colvale Sarpanch Nitin Kandolkar said they have written to the GSPCB asking for action to be initiated.
“We received a complaint about the discharge of chemical and hazard waste water in an agricultural field, following which, we carried out a site inspection to track the source and were accompanied by a health officer. The chemical water being released into the fields could be seen. It also emits a foul odour, which poses a danger to the locals residing close by,” said Kandolkar.
The panchayat will be issuing a show cause noticed to the owner of the scrapyard and after that a demolition notice will also be issued. At the same time, a fine will be imposed on them as well. A copy of the complaint letter has been sent to the Tivim MLA, Nilkanth Halankar; Directorate of Panchayat and Environment Minister, Nilesh Cabral.
