PANAJI
For the very first time, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has undertaken an environmental audit of all the six offshore casinos and the industrial units located within the Cuncolim Industrial Estate -- which has been in news over growing air and water pollution.
While the Board has completed the environmental audit of offshore casinos and 13 units in the Cuncolim Industrial Estate and one in St Jose De Areal industrial estate, the exercise will cover more 1000-odd units including hotels and shacks.
Sources informed that the audit was conducted of all six offshore casinos operated by Golden Peace Infrastructure Pvt Ltd (MV Majestic Pride), High Street Cruises and Entertainment Pvt Ltd (MV Caravela and MV Casino Royale), Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd, Goa Coastal Resort and Recreation Pvt Ltd and Delta Co-Op Ltd (MV Horsehoe Casino).
In the Cuncolim industrial estate, the audit had been done of Sunrise Electronics Pvt Ltd, Shraddha Ispat Pvt Ltd, Malco Energy limited, Trimutri Industries, Orange Fox Steel Pvt Ltd, Quality Foods, Pioneer Alloys and Steel Pvt Ltd, Marpol Pvt Ltd, Global Ispat Pvt Ltd, Karthik Alloys Ltd, Shree Balaji Rolling Pvt Ltd, Quality Exports and Shirdi Steel Re-rollers Pvt Ltd.
The Goa Carbon Limited located at St Jose De Areal industrial estate is also inspected for environmental norms. The Board is yet to disclose the details of the audit as the same has to be approved by the members of the Board.
“These audits will help the Board to know whether units have complied with rules and regulations, what are the violations, air and water pollution control measures and other environmental parameters.
The Board has constituted teams with chemical, environmental, mechanical, and pharma experts to conduct the audit. As per GSPCB rules, the board has to conduct an audit of red industries every year, and can also audit industries from other categories.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao had raised the issue of Cuncolim industrial pollution at various platforms including the State Legislative Assembly.
In his series of letters addressed to various authorities including the Chief Minister, Alemao had raised concerns about air and water pollution, illegal activities, encroachments on agricultural land and private properties by certain industrial units within the estate. The locals were also up in arms against the growing pollution.
