Team Herald
PANJIM: Taking note of O Heraldo report on the untreated effluents causing widespread fish mortality at Velsao Bay rivulet, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Western Zone Bench, Pune has disposed of an application regarding fish mortality at the rivulet after the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) stated that it levied EDC (Environmental Damage Compensation) to the extent of Rs 12,37,500 and obtained a bank guarantee of Rs 25 lakh from the Paradeep Phosphates Ltd, Zuarinagar.
The Tribunal was hearing a suo motu application of a news item “Untreated effluents cause widespread fish mortality at Velsao bay rivulet” published by O Heraldo dated May 26, 2024.
The GSPCB in its affidavit stated there was no role of the Paradeep Phosphates Ltd found in mortality of the fish, and it appears to be the only one-off incident even as it stated that initially pollution was found at the site due to the activities of the fertiliser company, pursuant to which EDC of Rs 12,37,500 and a bank guarantee of Rs 25 lakh was taken from them.
The GSPCB had submitted that during their inspection, fish was found dead, but that was only one case as the occurrence was reported in the newspaper and thereafter, no such incident had happened at the site, which was being attributed to the activities of the company.
The GSPCB in its affidavit stated that in view of the incidents of fish mortality at Velsao bay rivulet, it conducted site inspections of the unit of M/s Paradeep Phosphates located at Zuarinagar, Sancoale, on May 26, June 8, July 13 and August 16, last year.
The Board had collected samples of beach water, upstream of rivulet, downstream of rivulet and final treated water of ETP (effluent treatment plant) and thereafter, the same were analysed, wherein the values of the Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) and Potassium were found remarkably higher in the samples of beach water and creek water compared to the samples collected during non-monsoon period.
It was noted that Nitrogen and Potassium were constituents of the final product of M/s Paradeep Phosphate Ltd and the sample of puddle water also indicated high concentration of Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphate indicating spillages mixing with storm water runoff.
After the second inspection, the GSPCB issued a show cause notice asking M/s Paradeep Phosphates Ltd as to why the unit should not pay an environmental compensation of Rs 12,37,500 to the Board.
Later, the fertiliser company was granted valid Consent to Operate, under Section 25/26 of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, for the production of Urea and Complex Fertilisers, Carbon Dioxide as byproduct, intermediate product Ammonia and power plants. The Board had also stipulated various conditions including Rs 25 lakh bank guarantee in the Consent Order for the prevention and control of water pollution.
During the inspection on August 16, 2024, the Board verified that the unit had dismantled the emergency discharge pipeline leading into the sea and that the pollution, which was noted during the inspection, was found abated.