Home / Environment / Goa Cracks Down on 11 Highly Polluting Industries
Goa Cracks Down on 11 Highly Polluting Industries
19 Feb
Summary
- Goa has 11 highly polluting industrial units requiring frequent checks.
- GSPCB formed a new cell for intensified inspections of these units.
- Inspections for these units will now occur at least once every three months.
Goa now has 11 industrial units classified as 'highly polluting' by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has recently established a specialized monitoring cell to oversee these facilities.
This move comes after the CPCB revised its guidelines, mandating more frequent inspections for such industries. Under the new norms, these 11 units, spread across Bethora, Usgao, Pissurlem, Sanguem, Cuncolim, Zuarinagar, Amona, and Corlim, must be inspected at least once every three months. The GSPCB has already commenced this intensified surveillance process.
The Central Pollution Control Board had issued directions in 2019 to state boards regarding inspection frequencies for industries governed by the Water Act of 1974 and the Air Act of 1981. These directives emphasized the state boards' responsibility in implementing pollution control programs.
Further impetus for this stricter regulatory approach came from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The NGT had previously noted instances of unchecked environmental violations due to infrequent inspections and automatic renewal of permits, particularly concerning highly polluting industries in Haryana. Consequently, the NGT called for a more robust inspection and regulatory framework, leading to the revision of inspection frequencies by the central board.
