Margao: Residents of Cuncolim on Tuesday demanded the immediate revocation of the consent to operate granted to a proposed fishmeal plant in the municipal area. They issued a 10-day ultimatum, warning that they will launch a protest if the permission is not withdrawn.
Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao, who has been backing the residents on the issue and on recurring pollution concerns, said he stood with the people.
“This government has taken a major decision against Cuncolkars by giving the fishmeal plant a consent to operate under the air and water act. We had raised the issue of how the Cuncolim industrial estate has become a curse for the locals and they had also held protest on this issue,” he said.
Alemao said he will write to the Environment Minister, Chief Minister, and Goa State Pollution Control Board with their demands.
He said that Cuncolim and nearby villages have been facing persistent pollution issues, including hazardous waste, air pollution and water contamination.
“This pollution is spread across the entire area of Cuncolim and we have been fighting against pollution for the past 15 years. Shutdown the entire industrial estate and give justice to Cuncolkars. There is release of pollutants in the air, the canal water has been polluted, there are encroachments. The CM should stop the entire industry, install a proper monitoring system and then start,” said local Aviraj Dessai.
