Goa
In April 2007, the Bombay High Court dropped all proceedings against Amar K Vazirani, member secretary of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), accepting his explanation for the delay in submitting a report on the pollution caused by five sponge iron plants in the state's South Goa district.
Timeline
November 2005
On of the five units, Shrithik Ispat sponge iron plant in Cottarli village of Sanguem taluka in South Goa, started operation. Soon after, people living in nearby villages started complaining of dust, and disturbance caused by trucks. Soot from the chimney exhaust coated the cashew and paddy crops and caused increased respiratory diseases among people.
April 2006
Villagers started protesting and complained to the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).
Early July 2006
Raghu Malik and 150 villagers of Cottarli village filed a petition with the Uguem panchayat seeking the plant's closure.
Late July 2006
Due to heavy rain, slurry from Shrithik plant, which is built on the top of a hill, flowed down to the nearby Cottarli nala, which goes through six villages before meeting the Sanguem river. Villagers use the nala water for drinking and irrigation. To protest this, people blocked the nearby Sanguen-Cottarli road. The local police came to check the matter and filed a report with the executive magistrate confirming pollution. However, nothing was done.
September 2006
After a written complaint from villagers, GSPCB inspected the plant and took samples of the nala water. It submitted a report latter in the month, stating that the water was contaminated. The plant was shut down only for 15 days after which it was allowed to function on what villagers call flimsy grounds.
December 2006
- A public interest petition was filed in the Bombay High Court (by Minguel Mascarenhas, Gopal Velip and 150 Cottarli villagers) seeking closure of the Shrithik plant. The case came for hearing later that month, when the court asked GSPCB and Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to look into the matter and file a report within three weeks.
- HC directed Vazirani to file an interim report on how to stem pollution from the five sponge iron plants.
March 2007
Case came up for hearing and GPSCB said NEERI's report was awaited. The court then asked Vazirani to explain why he should not be charged with contempt of court for not following the court's order.
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