People of Cuncolim are not happy with the fact that their industrial estate is one of the most polluted estates in Goa and besides having to deal with steel slag waste, fumes from alloy factories; they have to bear the stench from the fish meal plants as well.
There have been several inspections by authorities including the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and environment department over the years but locals are upset that the industrial units are slow in ensuring directives are followed.
Even though the industrial estate comes under the jurisdiction of the Industrial Development Corporation, the locals are aggrieved stakeholders as they have complained that their water bodies have got contaminated and people have contracted diseases from the pollution emanating from the estate.
GSPCB, who are looking at Bethora, Pilerne and Cuncolim industrial estate on priority with the focus on setting up of a common effluent plant, carried out a site inspection of the estate. At the discussion held with owners of steel plant and other factory owners on the pollution issues, they were informed that the government will install the Effluent treatment plant (ETP) at the Cuncolim industrial estate by spending Rs 6 crore. For this project, Central Pollution Control board will spend Rs 3 crores, Rs 1.5 crore by IDC and the remaining Rs 1.5 crore, the fish meal plants owners will have to contribute.
At the inspection, much to their surprise, they noticed that many of their past instructions regarding tackling pollution levels at the estate were yet to be followed.
Coincidentally, locals had also complained to the GSPCB against the fish meal plants. Social activist, Oscar Martins was also present for the inspection. Martins complained that the fish meal plants are the most polluting units at IDC, Cuncolim and appealed to the board to close down all fish meal plants and polluting units.
GSPCB found faults with the United Marine Fish Meal Plants and asked them to appoint expert production engineers. GSPCB found that the fish meal plants production procedure is faulty. They were also pointed to and confirmed the issue about stench. Board officials also stated that they will study the processing procedure of the plant based on the report of the technical expert engineers. They further made it clear that if the factory failed to comply with the guidelines then they will withdraw the permission given to the plant.
The steel plant owners were told to install air pollution control devices with exhaust wood system. The steel plant owners were warned that the board would take strong action against those industries that do not follow the norms laid down by the board. It was revealed that many industries have purchased the air control device but they have not installed it.
The factor owners wereurther informed that the board will be monitoring all the air pollution at the IDC and they will conduct one more inspection in a months time.
