Team Goemkarponn
CORTALIM: Cortalim MLA Anton Vas, along with local villagers, alleged that he caught a sewage tanker dumping waste on an open plot opposite Blueberry Hall at Cortalim, triggering outrage among residents and prompting demands for strict action against those responsible.
According to Vas, alert villagers intercepted the tanker while it was allegedly discharging sewage and informed him. He rushed to the spot and alerted Verna Police, besides contacting officials from the Health Department and other concerned agencies, seeking immediate legal action.
The MLA claimed he had long suspected untreated sewage was being dumped in the area, alleging that nearby agricultural fields had turned into black sludge and that several farmers had complained of skin rashes and an inability to cultivate their land due to contamination.
Vas said he had been monitoring the area for several days, including late-night patrols, in an effort to identify those behind the alleged illegal dumping. He further alleged that the tanker driver admitted to making multiple trips to the same location to dispose of sewage.
He expressed concern that the dumping may have continued for years and alleged that some landowners could be accepting money from septic tanker operators to allow sewage disposal on their land. He called for strict action against both the tanker operators and any landowners found to be involved.
In a separate incident on the same day, Vas alleged that he caught a catering company discharging sewage onto a public road using a motor pump connected to its septic tank. He claimed company officials attempted to hide the pump after being confronted, but it was later recovered from nearby bushes.
Following the inspection, the MLA said he lodged complaints with the Health Department, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), seeking action over alleged environmental pollution and unhygienic food preparation practices.
Vas further claimed that the company supplies food to several industries in the Verna Industrial Estate and urged those firms to suspend their contracts until the establishment complies with hygiene and environmental norms.
He also questioned whether the catering unit possessed the necessary licences and permissions to operate and urged the authorities to inspect the premises and take stringent action if violations are found.
The response of the catering company to the allegations could not be obtained at the time of filing this report.
