Team Herald
MARGAO: People living along Nuvem-Bambolim stretch of NH 17 have been reportedly facing severe dust pollution since the construction of the Zuari Bridge and Concrete Highway began.
There are four concrete plants along the stretch. However, the GSPCB has not monitored the ambient air around these plants, allege residents in the area.
Based on a complaint by residents of Nuvem in January 2017, the GSPCB reportedly conducted an inspection where they found that the units did not implement many of the directions in the Consent to Operate such as maintaining a wind breaker/barrier around the premises, maintaining dust containment cum suppression system within the premises, constructing a metalled road inside the premises, wetting of the ground, maintaining a garland of drains around the premises and maintaining of fast growing trees around the premises.
The officials also found the toilet pipes clogged and a huge pipe discharging bathing water to an adjacent pond. The units did not install any sprinklers near the feeders and mixers of RMC plant for dust collection.
NG Projects Limited, the operator of the RMC plants, responded to the inspection report in May 2017 claiming that they have taken necessary measures to comply with the Consent to Operator.
In March 2018, the Nuvem Sarpanch filed a complained against the dust pollution with the Collector of South Goa. The Collector forwarded the letter to GSPCB in May. However, the GSPCB has reportedly not conducted any inspection since then.
Interestingly, when asked what measures have been taken to control dust pollution, GSPCB passed the buck on PWD, directing them to take necessary steps to control dust pollution.
