Panchayats on Mandovi banks to conduct survey on sewerage discharge

PANAJI: The Goa State Pollution Control Board has directed all 30 panchayats located on banks of River Mandovi to conduct survey of the residential and commercial establishments discharging sewerage into it (river).

"The directives are issued to all the 30 panchayats. They have to conduct a special survey to track down the commercial and residential establishments which are blatantly discharging the sewerage into Mandovi River," Board Chairman Jose Manuel Noronha told reporters today.

He said the panchayats have been asked to penalise those releasing the sewerage in the river.

"If panchayats fail to do so, they (panchayats) will have to face action," Noronha said.

The Chairman stated that littering in public places is prohibited under the Goa Non-biodegradable Garbage (control) Act 1996.

The Board has also issued similar notice to Directorate of Health Services under the Water (prevention and control of pollution) Act, 1974.

"An area wise detail survey of all residence, residential complexes and establishments along the banks of the river Mandovi including creeks, streams or any other water body emptying into the river having or not having discharge into river and provide detailed list of such establishments and once the discharge points have been identified, same to be immediately removed effectively and permanently," the order issued by GSPCB member secretary Levinson Martins reads.