Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Taking serious note of rising water pollution concerns, the High Court of Bombay at Goa has extended the ambit of its suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) on the Mala Lake fish mortality issue to include the River Mandovi.
During the hearing, the Court expressed concern over significantly elevated levels of fecal coliform detected in the Mandovi, particularly in zones where offshore casinos and tourism-related vessels are stationed. Observing the potential health and environmental risks, the Court directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the river’s water quality.
The GSPCB has been instructed to carry out both qualitative and quantitative analysis of water samples, with a specific focus on areas surrounding anchored casino ships and other marine operations. The Board must submit its findings, along with details of any corrective measures taken, by the first week of June.
Earlier data submitted by the pollution control authority indicated that contamination levels in certain stretches of the river have surged to nearly double the permissible limits and have remained consistently above safe thresholds since 2022. Officials have attributed this deterioration largely to the discharge of untreated sewage into the river.
As per established standards, fecal coliform levels should not exceed 100 Most Probable Number (MPN) per 100 millilitres of water. The MPN method is commonly used to estimate microbial contamination, including the presence of bacteria such as E. coli.
