Environment Minister Sequeira meets with polluting units at Cuncolim over stop orders

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Shri Aleixo Sequeira, Goa’s Environment Minister, recently held a crucial meeting with representatives from industrial units at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate. These units had been issued stop orders and show cause notices by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) for violations related to pollution control standards. The minister was accompanied by Dr. Shamila Monteiro, Member Secretary of GSPCB, along with officials from both GSPCB and the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC).

Focus on Compliance Failures

The meeting’s main focus was on addressing the compliance failures that led to the issuance of the stop orders. The Goa State Pollution Control Board had found several industrial units in violation of environmental regulations during inspections, prompting the enforcement actions. Minister Aleixo Sequeira personally urged the management of these non-compliant units to work closely with the authorities and take immediate steps to rectify the deficiencies.

Sequeira emphasized the importance of collaboration in resolving the environmental issues at the industrial estate. He warned that unless corrective measures are taken, the units will not be allowed to continue operations. “We are ready to work with the units, but they need to demonstrate their willingness to cooperate and address the problems identified,” Sequeira said during the meeting.

Concerns Over Effluent Treatment Plants

One of the key points raised during the discussion was the functionality of the Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) installed at the industrial units. ETPs are designed to treat the wastewater generated by industrial activities before it is discharged. However, during the meeting, Sequeira expressed concerns that although all the units were equipped with ETPs, it remained unclear whether they were fully operational and meeting the required standards.

“While all units have ETPs, it remains to be seen if they are fully functional,” said the Environment Minister. He further noted that untreated water had been discharged through these systems, worsening the pollution in the area. This discharge, combined with rainwater during the monsoon season, has aggravated the environmental challenges at Cuncolim Industrial Estate.

Strict Enforcement of Standards

Sequeira made it clear that the government is serious about enforcing environmental regulations and will not tolerate continued non-compliance. He stressed that if the units fail to meet the required standards, they would not be permitted to operate. The Goa State Pollution Control Board will conduct a follow-up inspection to assess whether the units have complied with the necessary environmental standards.

Failure to address the deficiencies identified during previous inspections will result in the continuation of the stop orders, effectively halting operations at the defaulting units.