Team Herald
MARGAO: As the High Court of Bombay at Goa (HC) prepares to hear the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the polluted state of the River Sal on January 13, citizens have raised concerns about the lack of action from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and the Margao Municipal Council (MMC).
Despite clear directives issued by the court to curb the rampant discharge of sewage and waste into the river, significant delays in compliance have sparked alarm, particularly given the deteriorating state of Salcete’s lifeline.
The PIL, filed by Navelim resident Professor Antonio Alvares, centers on the unabated discharge of raw sewage into Salpem Lake and River Sal via Margao’s storm water drains. During the last hearing on November 19, the HC had set deadlines for both the GSPCB and MMC to act against violators and file compliance reports. However, with no significant progress visible and the next hearing just days away, the response of these authorities remains under scrutiny.
One key directive required the GSPCB to seal 51 commercial establishments operating without consent to operate within four weeks. Despite two joint inspections conducted by the GSPCB, MMC, and the Salcete Mamlatdar’s office, no premises have been sealed so far.
Officials cited the need for further identification of establishments, but sources suggest bureaucratic delays coupled with possible political influences may have played a role in stalling the process.
The inaction has left environmentalists questioning the delay, as these businesses continue to discharge untreated waste into the environment, exacerbating the river’s pollution.
Similarly, the MMC was instructed to shut down 46 establishments found discharging sewage into stormwater drains. While closure notices were issued, no further action has been taken to enforce these orders. Most owners failed to comply or even respond to the notices, and the council has yet to initiate any sealing measures. The HC had also directed the MMC to act against 64 establishments operating without trade licenses within four weeks. However, while MMC officials announced plans to survey businesses and enforce trade license regulations, enforcement has been inconsistent, leaving many unregulated establishments untouched.
Adding to the concerns, the HC ordered the MMC to inspect and regulate sewage discharge across its jurisdiction within 16 weeks, as well as address pollution in a nullah near Kudchadkar Hospital within 12 weeks. Yet, there has been little visible progress on either front. Sources indicate that inspections are yet to begin, raising doubts about the council’s ability to meet the deadlines.
A proposed solution to the issue of sewage management in low-lying areas such as Gandhi Market and Malbhat involves adopting vacuum technology. This automated system, ideal for regions with high water tables and limited space, has been evaluated in a feasibility survey. However, the government has not approved the proposal or allocated the necessary resources. The delay in implementing such solutions has only compounded the problem, as untreated waste continues to flow into the drains unchecked.
During the November 19 hearing, the HC emphasised the need for strict compliance with its directives, instructing the authorities to file affidavits detailing their progress. However, residents and activists argue that neither the GSPCB nor the MMC has taken the issue seriously, as the pollution levels in the River Sal remain unmitigated.