MARGAO: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has ordered closure of seven Food Business Operators (FBOs) including one bar, three cafés and three restaurants at Colva. The FBOs were earlier issued show cause notices for violating pollution related guidelines
such as operating without the Consent to Operate from GSPCB.
The complainant in these cases were the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum (CCCF), which has been actively fighting to protect Colva creek and the Colva beach from pollution. These establishments are located near the creek and beach. CCCF Secretary Judith Almeida has, for years now, been citing the discharge of raw sewage into the creek by commercial establishments nearby as well as the dumping of garbage into it by visitors to the beach as the reasons behind the creek’s high pollution levels. She also questioned the slow pace of the Colva Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) and its network, which had been hailed by the authorities as the solution to the Colva creek pollution problem.
The directions by GSPCB against these FBOs, were issued under Section 33(A) read with Section 25/26 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 197 and Under Section 31(A) read with Section 21 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
These FBOs were running for years and they recently received show cause notices from GSPCB. Six of the seven FBOs did not reply to the notice, while in the case of the one that did, it was revealed by GSCPB that they had not completed the application process for the consent of the Board to operate.
These FBOs were directed to stop/close the operations of their unit with immediate effect and to submit the compliance report to GSPCB.
The South Goa District Collector’s office was also asked to ensure that the unit operation is stopped/closed/ sealed with immediate effect and also to submit a compliance report to GSPCB.
It may be recalled that GSPCB had taken similar action against a number of beach shacks operating in North Goa last year, following directions from the High Court.
Alarming levels of faecal matter, pollutants in Colva creek prompted action
It may be recalled that a few months ago, GSPCB had confirmed the presence of faecal matter in the polluted Colva creek. GSPCB also noted that the ‘stagnant’ water’s colour was turbid, and odour unpleasant and that an oily film was formed over the water’s surface. Following complaints filed at point of time by the CCCF secretary, GSPCB had held an inspection of the creek where samples of water from the creek were collected for testing. The volume of faecal coliform found in the creek was 780 units per 100 ml. “Faecal coliform parameter is exceeding the permissible limits,” read the GSPCB report. In response to GSPCBs findings, CCCF Secretary Judith Almeida had criticised the authorities for failing to stop the pollution of the creek despite the government reiterating that it has taken measures to address this issue. Incidentally, GSPCB had then also pointed out the 40 KLD Water Treatment Plant (WTP) was installed by WRD at the bank of the creek without having obtained the ‘consent to operate’ and it recommended that a notice be issued to WRD for operating the same without GSPCB’s consent.
