Pollution Board collects water samples, waste sediments from Colva creek

Locals call for immediate closure of public toilet close to beach

THE GOAN NETWORK | DECEMBER 21, 2024, 01:29 AM IST

Pollution Board collects water samples, waste sediments from Colva creek

A GSPCB official collects samples of water and sediments from the Colva beach. Waters from the creek flowed onto the beach again on Friday.

Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar

MARGAO
After rampant discharge of sewage waste in the Colva creek for more than two days, officials of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) finally descended at the Colva beach to collect water samples for testing on Friday.

The team has not only collected the water samples, but have collected the brown colour waste sediments resembling human waste from the beach. The team contacted the petitioner in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court, activist Judith Almeida before setting in motion the process to collect the water samples.

Even as the officials have taken the water samples for testing at the GSPCB laboratory, locals led by Sarpanch Suzie Fernandes called for the immediate closure of the public toilet close to the beach. The sarpanch along with Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas and panchayat members inspected the creek waters on Friday, only to find traces of sewage floating in the water.

The Colva sarpanch recalled that the public toilet was involved in the discharge of raw sewage in the creek couple of months ago, only to be stopped after the intervention of the Panchayat members. “The toilet was shut down, but has been reopened after the matter went to the Court. We only want the changing room at the site. The toilet block should be shut down immediately. Visitors can use the toilet located on the Colva beach square,” she said.

The Benaulim MLA has cried foul over the discharge of sewage in the creek, terming it as a big crime. Without taking names, Venzy took pot shots at the Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira, saying this is happening because the GSPCB is operating as per the dictates of the Master.

He further demanded to know how can there be justice when there are allegations that the waste has found its way into the creek from a hotel. “I am not targeting the Environment Minister. But, how can you expect the GSPCB to do justice when the Minister is not interested in protecting the environment,” the MLA questioned.

Supporting the demand of Colva Sarpanch Suzie Fernandes that the toilet block operated by GTDC should be shut down immediately.

Govt will initiate action once PCB submits its report: Minister

MARGAO: Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira has on Friday said that the government will initiate action in the Colva creek contamination once officials of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) submit report. He told the media at the Friday darbar that officials of the GSPCB has visited Colva in the morning to collect water samples from the creek. “Once the samples are testing in the laboratory, we will come to know the source of contamination. Necessary action will then follow,” Sequeira added.

GSPCB slammed for delay in collecting water samples
MARGAO: Petitioner in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court, social activist Judith Almeida has lamented that it took three days for the GSPCB officials to collect water samples of the Colva creek.

“I had called up all and sundry of the PCB right from the Member Secretary Dr Shamila Monteiro to the board staff to come and inspect the creek three days ago. I wanted the officials to immediately come to the beach so that the waste is not carried into the sea, she said, adding that she would make a mention of the incident before the High Court when the PIL comes up for hearing at the next date.