Member Secy states 26 establishments connected to sewerage network; activist wonders whether sewage is lying untreated in underground lines with STP yet to be commissioned
MARGAO
An affidavit filed by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) Member Secretary Dr Shamila Monteiro in the 2011 Colva creek contamination Public Interest Litigation has come under the scanner of Colva-based activists.
For, in the affidavit filed in September last, the GSPCB Member Secretary has stated that out of the 35 commercial establishments, which possess the valid Consent to Operate from the Pollution Control Board, 26 of these establishments are connected to the sewerage network of the 7.5MLD Colva sewerage treatment plant.
Social activist and petitioner in the 2011 PIL, Judith Almeida has demanded to know whether the 26 establishments are connected to the Colva STP, and if yes, the mode of treatment of the sewage from these establishments.
For, Judith has pointed out that the Colva STP has not been commissioned yet and wondered whether the sewage from these 26 commercial establishments is just lying inside the underground line without treatment.
She told the media that the GSPCB Member Secretary Shamila Monteiro’s affidavit has indeed raised a host of questions. One, the social activist pointed out there was a delay in the commissioning of the Colva STP over the delay in obtaining nod from the Power Department for the enhanced load sanction. “The Power Department has given the nod for the enhanced load sanction only earlier this month. The GSPCB Member Secretary had filed her affidavit in the High Court in September. We fail to understand that what the Member Secretary has filed in the affidavit is true, than the question arises where has the sewage of the 26 establishments gone. And, whether the sewage is just lying inside the line without treatment,” she said.
The petitioner has demanded that the Goa State Pollution Control Board and the Sewage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) should come clear on the sewage generated by the 26 commercial establishments at Colva. “If not, I will file an application before the High Court at the next date of hearing praying for a probe on whether the 26 establishments are connected to the Colva sewerage network and how the flow of sewage into the sewerage line has been treated till date,” Judith added.
