Team Herald
MARGAO: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the respondents in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the discharge of sewage into Saipem Lake and River Sal to submit their affidavits at the earliest. The PIL, filed by Professor Antonio Alvares, has brought attention to pollution issues affecting these water bodies. The matter has been adjourned to February 18.
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During the hearing held on Tuesday, Adv M Salkar, counsel for the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), assured the court that the affidavit in reply would be served to the counsel for the respective parties by the end of the day. He also informed the court that he had been instructed to represent the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA), which manages the retail and wholesale markets in the area. Adv Salkar sought two weeks to file an affidavit on behalf of the SGPDA.
The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has also been directed to submit an affidavit addressing overall issues, including those pertaining to the SGPDA markets.
The division bench, comprising Justice Nivedita P Mehta and Justice M S Karnik, granted permission to the Sewerage and Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa Limited to file its affidavit during the week, and directed the Navelim panchayat to submit an affidavit by February 10.
