WRD seals illegal ringwells, borewells on Candolim beach

PANJIM: The Water Resources Department (WRD) has sealed five illegal ringwells and borewells each at Candolim beach while, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) survey is on to find out illegal soak pits built by shack operators at Candolim beach. 

Following a directive by the High Court of Bombay at Goa last week, to the authorities concerned to file compliance report of the illegal borewells built mainly around shacks permitted by the department of tourism on Calangute and Candolim beaches, the WRD ground water officer (North) along with the officials of department of tourism conducted a survey and found five borewells and five ringwells illegally built on Candolim beach. 

The WRD, works division I, ground water officer (North) sealed all five ringwells, three borewells and have physically removed two borewells from the site. During the hearing, it was mentioned that 23 borewells have been dug and installed at Candolim beach. 

During the physical verification carried out at the site by the WRD engineers and tourism department officials, found that four shack operators each were using two ringwells, which have now been sealed. The detailed report of wells sealed along with photographs has been submitted in compliance with the order of the High Court.

The petitioner Reuben Franco of Umtawado, Calangute in his public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition had flagged several issues concerning the illegalities on the Calangute and Candolim beaches. Arguing on behalf of the petitioner, Adv Rohit Bras De Sa had urged the Court to direct the authorities to remove all entrenched septic tanks, soak pits, garbage bags and bore wells sunk on the Calangute and Candolim beach belt since 2019 and to take immediate steps to decongest all the beaches, i.e. Calangute beach.

Adv De Sa had also prayed that the State government be directed to restrict number of shacks at the main entry points of both the beaches. 

Meanwhile, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) survey along with officials of department of tourism is on to find out illegal soak pits built by shack operators on the two beaches. 

The department of tourism officials stated that they will issue a show cause notices to all shack allottees at Candolim beach stretch and if found guilty of entrenching soak pits on beaches, then their shack licences will be suspended.