All 14 councillors of Cuncolim municipality unanimously opposed a new fish meal plant project at Cuncolim industrial estate, Goan Marine Impex Pvt Ltd, due to pollution concerns. At its meeting on Wednesday, the council decided to challenge in the high court the consent issued by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) .
“The existing fishmeal plant is so polluting, and if another one is set up, then Cuncolkars will have to leave the village,” one of the councillors told presspersons after the meeting. “If the plant is permitted to start, we Cuncolkars will take to the streets and block NH66, and will not allow a single vehicle to move,” the councillor said.
Leader of opposition and Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao on Tuesday gave the govt a 10-day ultimatum to cancel the consent to establish and operate granted by the GSPCB to the new fish meal unit at the industrial estate. He warned of a mass agitation and said the govt would be responsible for any law and order situation that arose.
He said that state govt’s approval was a case of “corruption” and even alleged cronyism. The opposition leader also raised health concerns, stating that fish meal plants lack effluent treatment and odour control.
