Sewage treatment plant project stokes ire of Assolda locals

Margao: At the Assolda gram sabha on Sunday, locals voiced strong opposition to the under-construction sewage treatment plant (STP) at Hodar, near the banks of a Zuari tributary. Locals expressed outrage that the NOC for the STP was granted by the authorities without conducting an environmental impact assessment (EIA) study.

The locals said that was a violation of the EIA Notification 2006 and the orders issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

The STP project, the locals said, is located close to a water body, and could harm ecosystems and pose health risks to people. They demanded the immediate cancellation of the NOC and a thorough environmental study before any further permissions are considered.

The gram sabha also discussed the issue of the rise in illegal constructions in the village, including encroachments on comunidade land. The locals demanded an explanation from the panchayat over its failure to act on these illegalities despite a directive from the high court, which ordered the panchayat to act against unauthorised structures.

“The panchayat is ignoring clear directions issued by both the NGT and the HC. This gross negligence could amount to contempt of court,” a gram sabha member, Aditya Dessai, said. “Some complaints on illegal structures have been pending for over five years without any response. This is unacceptable.”