MARGAO
Asserting that all polluting units should be permanently shut down in the interest of the public in Cuncolim, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Wednesday sounded a warning loud and clear that new fish meal plants will not be allowed in the Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
“It is learnt that one more fish meal plant may be established in the CIE. We will not allow it,” he said.
In his letter to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Yuri demanded a host of measures, including conducting a survey of groundwater and surface water monitoring to provide a better environment for people.
In his letter, the Congress leader demanded measures to manage hazardous waste, air pollution, and water pollution in the Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
“I would like to draw your attention to the health issues faced by the people of Cuncolim staying in the vicinity of the Industrial Estate due to pollution emanating from steel and fish meal industries. The Cuncolim Industrial Estate, which houses various industries of fish meal and steel, has become a hotspot for environmental degradation due to the lack of effective waste management systems and non-functional effluent treatment plants (ETPs),” he stated in the letter.
Yuri further said the BJP government has failed to keep its promise to act on pollutant units for its expedient politics. “On August 6, 2024, Minister for Environment Aleixo Sequeira had promised, in the assembly, action within two months against the pollution at Cuncolim Industrial Estate. However, concerned departments have failed to take any steps and measures to stop pollution,” Alemao said.
“Surprisingly, the polluting units which were sealed were allowed to operate within a short period of time by imposing environmental compensation and putting conditions. There is a need to check whether they have adhered to conditions and taken measures to stop pollution. The government has miserably failed to tackle the pollution problem, which is creating health issues in Cuncolim. These all polluting units should be permanently shut down in the interest of the public,” he further said.
In light of these concerns, Alemao has urged the Chief Minister to take immediate measures to address the environmental issues in the industrial estate.
Installing an ambient air quality monitoring system, conducting an odour control study for the Cuncolim IDC, installing a real-time ambient air monitoring station, conducting a characterisation of hazardous waste dumping samples, and conducting a survey of groundwater and surface water monitoring in and around the Cuncolim IDC to ensure compliance with environmental norms are some of the measures suggested by Yuri Alemao.
