Authorities face growing questions over delays; Pollution Board has yet to seal 51 commercial establishments lacking consent to operate; MMC issues notices to 46 establishments violating sewage discharge norms, but has yet to shut them down
The sorry state of Salcete’s lifeline River Sal.
MARGAO
As the River Sal, Salcete’s lifeline is in the news over pollution by the rampant discharge of sewage water from the commercial capital, both Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and the Margao Municipal Council, are back on the scanner again.
Reason: The High Court had issued a host of directions to these and other authorities in the Public Interest Litigation in the Salpem lake contamination case, with deadlines set either to seal or shut down establishments and premises responsible for discharging sewage and kitchen waste in the storm water drains.
Indeed, exactly a week to go for the hearing of the PIL in the High Court on Monday next, questions are raised whether the GSPCB and the MMC have complied with the directions by cracking a whip against the erring establishments.
Questions are also raised whether these and other authorities have complied with the directions as per the High Court deadlines. At the last day of hearing on November 19, the High Court, while issuing the directions, had directed the authorities to file the status report in the form of affidavit on the compliance of its directions.
GSPCB ordered to seal establishments
A clear direction contained in the November 19 High Court to the Goa State Pollution Control Board was to seal the 51 commercial establishments which has neither consent to operate nor have made an application for consent to operate. The GSPCB was given four weeks from the date of the order to execute the directions.
GSPCB sources informed that the directions were sent to the South district authorities to initiate action against the establishments. There was, however, a delay in the execution of the directions after the Salcete Mamlatdar, got back to the GSPCB to identify the establishments before sealing the premises.
If sources are to be believed, as many as two joint inspections were conducted by the GSPCB, MMC and mamlatdar officials. Four weeks have already elapsed since the High Court had issued the directions, but there’s still no news yet about the sealing of any premises till date.
Directions to MMC to shut establishments
Based on the HC directions, Margao Municipal Chief Officer Melvyn Vaz, issued notices to the 46 establishments for closure, to stop the business activity and close down the premises with immediate effect.
Warning was issued to the establishment owners that failure to stop the business activity and close the premises will force the Municipal Council to initiate further action to seal the premises.
Reason: These establishments were earlier issued show cause notices, directing the owners to stop the discharge/ release of sewage in storm water drains under Section 197 read with Section 224 of the of the Goa Municipalities Act 1968 and under section 41 of the Goa Public Health Act 1985.
As it had turned out, the owners of these 46 establishments had defaulted in replying to the MMC notices.
Inquiries by The Goan have revealed there’s no further action by the MMC against these 46 establishments after issuing the show cause notices. Barring 2-3 owners, none of the remaining owners have bothered to approach the civic body nor have the MMC executed the directions for closure for reasons best known to the councillors, Municipal babus and the Powers that be.
Has MMC initiated action against establishments sans trade licence?
In its affidavit to the High Court, the MMC had pointed out that the civic body had stumbled upon the fact that a host of commercial establishments were operating in the city sans trade licence. Accordingly, directions were issued to the MMC to initiate action against the 64 commercial establishments operating without a trade licence within a period of four weeks from the date of the order. Four weeks have passed since the HC directions were issued on November 19, but action against the establishments operating without trade licence is still not forthcoming from the Margao Municipal officials.
MMC directed to inspect and check sewage discharge
One of the HC directions to the Margao Municipal Council is to inspect and check sewage discharge throughout its jurisdiction, and consequently take appropriate steps, measures and action within a period of 16 weeks from the date of the order and file an affidavit in compliance within
two weeks thereafter. There’s still time left for the MMC to comply with the HC order, but sources informed that the civic body is yet to kick start the inspection till date.
Moreover, the Court had directed the MMC to inspect, identify and take appropriate action as regards the flow in the nullah near Kudchadkar Hospital within a period of twelve weeks from the date of the order.
Vacuum tech proposed for sewage management in low-lying areas
MARGAO: Have the authorities shortlisted any technology to connect the low-lying areas of Gandhi market, Malbhat and surrounding areas with a sewerage network and stop the flow of waste water in the drains?
At the last meeting of the core committee, PWD officials are believed to have claimed that an agency has conducted a survey of the low-lying areas of Gandhi market, Malbhat and the surrounding areas on the feasibility of laying a sewerage network in these areas.
Sources said the agency has conducted a survey to explore the possibility of adopting the “Vacuum Technology” for sewerage network. This technology, sources said, is a fully automated system mostly deployed for areas which have high water table and limited space.
If accepted, the PWD official is believed to have pointed out that the agency may require space admeasuring 80-100 sq mtrs, for installation of the Vacuum Technology.
Questions, however, are being raised whether the government has accepted the Vacuum Technology and whether it would be adopted in the city to plug sewage flow.
