Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) in consultation with the National Institute of Oceanography has decided to conclusively establish the environmental impact the M V Lucky Seven casino vessel had due grounding at Miramar beach and so also its salvage operation.
This would be the second independent study in regards to air and water pollution, apart from the study the environment department has asked NIO to conduct as far as ecological damage of the beach is concerned.
After the study, GSPCB will file an intervention application before the Bombay High Court at Goa in the ongoing proceedings in the Lucky Seven case.
The Lucky 7 casino vessel, promoted by Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd, was grounded at the beach for 70 days before it was towed to 500 meters off the beach in deeper waters earlier this month for repairs. The company had initially approached the High Court seeking permission to allow their vessel to anchor in River Mandovi.
During the last Board meeting, the members discussed about filing intervention application before the Court on the issue of salvage of the vessel. It was decided that the application would be filed after Board conclusively establishes the pollution that has been caused due to the stranding of the vessel at the beach.
“The Board will also place before the Court the impact the salvage operations had on the environment at the beach with specific reference to air and water pollution and the measures required to mitigate the same,” the minutes of the meeting reads.
For this purpose, the Board will be seeking consultation from the National Institute of Oceanography. “On completion of this assessment, the Board will initiate necessary action against the parties found responsible for the environmental damage,” the minutes added.
The Board has also directed the Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd to submit the self declaration indicating the inventory of all hazardous and other waste material and details of other possible air and water pollution sources on vessel.
“While undertaking repair, ensure that no contamination of sea water takes place due to pumping out of water,” it added.
GSPCB has sent fresh reminder for submission of bank guarantee to the tune of Rs 1 crore towards environmental damage.
