Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has conducted the water audit of all six offshore casinos, anchored in River Mandovi, to know the process adopted by the casinos for waste water discharge.
The water audit conducted this month, by TUV-SUD India firm, is currently been scrutinized by the Board to further strengthen the mechanism to address the data-gaps and rejuvenate the river.
The audit is been conducted as per directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) with regards to action plan for rejuvenation of polluted river-stretches in Goa.
“GSPCB has conducted the ‘Water Audit’ of six casinos in January 2020 and the report is being scrutinized by the Board to further strengthen the mechanism to address the data-gaps, if any, and rejuvenate the river,” the Board has said in a note submitted to Chief Secretary, who has to remain present in person before the tribunal during the next hearing on January 24.
“Water quality of River Mandovi has been marginally improved since May 2019 and is being monitored under the National Water-quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP) of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB),” the Board added.
The agency, appointed to conduct the audit, has monitored all the raw water that is pumped into casino vessels and the wastewater that is discharged into the tanks.
The Congress had corned Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral during the Monsoon Session of the State Legislative Assembly, last month, over failure to monitor water quality of River Mandovi, alleging contamination due to discharge of waste by casinos.
