Hotels at Colva beach sealed for failing to comply with norms

South Goa district administration today began sealing hotels at the famous Colva beach for failing to set up a sewerage treatment plant (STP) facility.

The district administration this morning began the process of sealing 13 hotels on the directions of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), which had represented in the High Court against the erring hotels.

Colva beach is located in South Goa near Margao town, 35 kms away from here.

The action is initiated against the hotels as they don't have STP, which is necessary as per the rules to run such a facility, GSPCB chairman Jose Manuel Noronha said.

Local NGO Colva Civic Forum had approached the High Court against these hotels.

GSPCB had inspected 32 hotels of which 13 were did not have STP, inviting the closure orders, Noronha said.

The board had issued notice to the hotels on February 26 giving them time till March 6 to adhere to the directions, after the High Court ordered their sealing due to absence of this crucial facility.

"One of the hotels approached the High Court yesterday seeking to stay the order but the court refused to grant it," the GSPCB chairman said.

District administration officials said the process of sealing the hotels is expected to get over by today.