SDM slaps order on fishmeal plant over waste discharge

Margao: The sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Salcete has issued a conditional order against Quality Exports, a fishmeal plant located at the Cuncolim Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). The order directs the company to stop and remove the nuisance created by discharging wastewater and dumping garbage outside the compound of the industrial estate.

The conditional order was issued under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The SDM acted on a report from the mamlatdar of Salcete, dated Sep 11. The report documented that “wastewater ponds were found at the sites, which are now filled with soil and mud”.

“The site was full of a foul smell of rotten fish, and garbage is also seen outside the campus of the IDC, which causes inconvenience to the people living around and is a public nuisance,” the order stated.

Quality Exports has been given eight days to stop and remove the nuisance. Alternatively, the company must appear before the SDM on Sep 24 to file its response along with documents and permissions, and show cause why the conditional order should not be made absolute and enforced.

Earlier this week, at a special meeting of the Cuncolim Municipal Council, the civic body unanimously rejected a proposal for setting up another fishmeal plant in the town, citing potential environmental hazards and health risks. It urged the Goa State Pollution Control Board to carry out thorough inspections of all industrial units in the Cuncolim industrial estate, amid growing concerns over air and water pollution affecting local residents.