The Bombay High Court on Wednesday expanded the scope of its suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) concerning dead fish floating in Mala Lake to include the Mandovi River line area, aiming to remedy water pollution in the region.
Court Takes Cognisance of TOI Report
The court took cognisance of a Times of India report on the Goa State Pollution Control Board's (GSPCB) qualitative and quantitative study of water in the Mandovi River. The bench noted the alarming findings of the report, particularly highlighting the very high quantity of faecal coliform bacteria present in the river around the area where casinos are operating.
Directions to GSPCB
The bench of Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar directed the member secretary of the GSPCB to conduct a similar quantitative and qualitative study and prepare a report on the quality of water within the Mandovi River, more specifically at the estuary between the Iffi jetty and Mandovi bridges. The court stated that the study shall particularly stress collecting information on the quality of water around each casino stationed there or any other marine craft used for tourism purposes within that area. The report is to be placed before the court on June 1.
The high court also directed the GSPCB, based on data already available, to commence taking action based on the report and place it before the court on June 1.
Mala Lake Issue
Regarding the Mala Lake issue, a report from a joint site inspection by the GSPCB, Water Resources Department, and Fisheries Department pointed to contamination of water due to sewage discharge. The report recorded that wastewater (sewage) from residential areas along the western periphery of the lake was seen flowing into the lake through stormwater drains. The court noted that these observations highlight the fact that sewage is being discharged directly into the lake by residents along the western periphery.
Action Against Sewage Discharge
The court directed the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) commissioner to conduct a joint inspection of each residential house to ascertain the exact cause for the presence of faecal coliform bacteria and identify their sources. If such discharge is found in any particular home-shed, the commissioner shall take immediate action to seal or remedy the situation. The HC added that in case of environmental degradation and health hazards, no notices are required before sealing or taking action under the CCP Act and Public Health Act.
During the hearing, the CCP informed the court that there are between 800 and 1,000 residences within 200 metres of the lake's periphery, of which 200 have been inspected so far, and 31 show cause notices have been issued.
STP Operations
The Sewerage and Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa told the court that it runs a pumping station where a portion of the sewage is pumped to the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Tonca and the rest to the STP at EDC Patto. The corporation informed the court that the treated water from the STPs at Tonca and Patto is pumped into the Mandovi River and not into Mala Lake. The corporation's counsel, Akshata Bhat, placed before the court a water analysis report from the STP at Patto indicating that the water has been fully treated before it is discharged into the Mandovi.
