PONDA: Locals have expressed concern over the water at the Opa Khandepar River turning muddy yet again, despite it not raining on Sunday.
Local environmentalist Sandeep Parkar said three weeks back, he had complained about the muddy water and the Pollution Control Board officials had inspected the Opa Water Treatment plant. However, the officials, he said, had not given any specific reason why the water had turned muddy.
Parkar suspected that a firm engaged in mining activity upstream releases mining waste into the river taking advantage of holidays on Saturday and Sunday. “This is the seventh time since the past month, the river is flowing with muddy water,” said Parkar.
“Authorities should take action against this pollution since the water is treated at Opa Treatment Plant and supplied to Ponda and Tiswadi. Since this is a health-related issue, Parkar demanded that the concerned officials should trace the source of this pollution.
“Officials often attribute the muddy water to heavy rain but since there was no rain today, concerns were raised why the water turns muddy only on Saturdays and Sundays,” Parkar said.
Locals say that the firms involved in mining-related activities release mining slurry into the river taking advantage of the absence of officials to check their activity.
