Team Herald
CUNCOLIM: Cuncolim residents along with Cuncolim MLA Clafasio Dias have served a 15-day ultimatum on steel plants in the Cuncolim Industrial Estate to stop pollution or to face closure.
The MLA had contacted Goa State Pollution Control Board to inspect the steel plants which he alleged were responsible for releasing carbon and black dust. Two experts from pollution control board inspected the plant and questioned them on the measures taken to control pollution.
The company officials informed the media that they have been following guidelines laid down by pollution control board. The company officials said officials of pollution control board have inspected the unit and accordingly have issued them a certificate.
When the media asked the officials to produce the certificate and documents, they failed to produce the same.
The residents sought to know from the pollution control board whether the steel plants in the industrial estate are following the board’s guidelines.
Some locals alleged that the Board is favouring the units and raised eyebrows over the role of industrial corporation officers in monitoring pollution in these units. They locals claimed that industrial corporation office is also affected due to black dust but the officials have failed to take action.
The MLA informed the media that he would ensure that the pollution control board officials inspect the units after fifteen days.
He informed that the locals are subjected to pollution for many years and warned the polluting units to either stop pollution or face closure.
