Pollution board slaps Rs 3.6 lakh fine on Mapusa residential bldg

Panaji: Practising the ‘polluter pays principal’, the Goa Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has issued an order levying a fine of Rs 3.6 lakhs on a residential complex in Mapusa for causing damage to the environment.

GSPCB member secretary Shamila Monteiro in the order said that the board had received a complaint from Goa Foundation about pollution caused by the residential complex ,following which, an inspection of the complex located at Peddem, Mapusa, was conducted.

“It was observed that you are operating without the consent of the board, without adequate waste water and solid waste management and without an STP installed,” Monteiro said in the order.

Monteiro said that in the light of the observation and in terms of the guidelines adopted by the board , it has assessed that a compensation of Rs 3.6 lakh is required to be recovered from the unit as compensation for damage to the environment, that will subsequently be spent by the board for the restoration of the environment.

The board issued an order to the building’s housing and maintenance society under section 33 (A) of the Water (prevention and control of pollution) Act, 1974, and under section 31 (A) of the Air (prevention and control of pollution) Act, 1981, and directed to deposit the fine to the board.

“Failure to comply with the aforesaid directions within the stipulated time period would compel the board to initiate stringent legal action against you in terms of the provisions of the Water and Air Acts and direction of the principal bench of the National Green Tribunal at New Delhi, without any further notice,” Monteiro said

Goa Foundation in its complaint had said the leaking sewage from the project is a problem not just for the numerous persons residing in the flats , but also the general public, as the complex was located in a busy area.