GSPCB orders closure of Barcem plant

TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Asserting that Ms Sagar Fish meal located at Bendurdem in Barcem village was operating without the mandatory consent to operate, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) on Wednesday issued direction to the unit to close down.
GSPCB Chairman Jose Manuel Noronha said the fish meal plant will remain closed till such time the unit obtains valid consent to operate from the Board as required under the provisions of the Water and Air Acts. The Board has warned of stringent action against the unit if the management fails to comply with the provisions under the Water and Air Acts.
The GSPCB action comes following complaints lodged by villagers of Subdolem and Cordem alleging public nuisance and environmental pollution caused by the operation of the fish meal unit.
During inspection of the plant on December 6, GSPCB officials found that the unit was in operation, but the pollution control mechanism, including the effluent treatment plant, was not in a satisfactory working condition.
Noronha said that operation of the unit in the absence of the consent to operate will result in causing environmental pollution in the vicinity, due to the absence of adequate pollution mechanism and equipment.