MARGAO: Cuncolim residents, under the banner of Cuncolkarcho Ekvott, have threatened to launch an agitation if the government fails to immediately revoke the clearances given to the fish meal plant set up at Ambaulim by one Seby D’Silva.
At a press briefing on Monday, the residents alleged that the plant was releasing waste water in the open through tankers, and the smell of the same was unbearable for the locals. They also claimed that the accused has constructed a wall that is bigger than the permissible limit of the construction licence.
Cuncolkarcho Ekvott has also appealed to the Ambaulim panchayat to revoke the NOC given to the owner for constructing the wall and also to conduct a thorough inquiry into the legality of the plant operations.
“We urge the elected members to support the cause of the people and close the polluted fish meal plant as soon as possible,” said CE member Siddharth Kambli.
Since 2012, Cuncolim residents have strongly objected to D’Silva’s fish meal plant in the industrial estate as it is allegedly causing pollution and other health problems in the village.
According to information, Velim residents had also opposed the setting up of this plant, following which the owner made ample attempts to set up in the Cuncolim IDC, but was unsuccessful due to protests by the locals.
Ambaulim residents have alleged that the fish meal plant releases the waste water in Acamol-Ambaulim through tankers, which the villagers had stopped late in the night. Quepem Police had confiscated the tankers and registered an offence against D’Silva.
They also alleged that D’Silva had managed to get clearances with the help of the local MLA.
“If the BJP government fails to accept the demands of the residents, soon there will major protests against the government and local MLA, who will be fully responsible for the consequences,” said a CE member.
