Goa govt asks CSIR-NIO to study pollution in water bodies

The Goa government has directed CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) to study the quantum of pollution in all water bodies in the state, including rivers, the Legislative Assembly was told on Monday.

Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral said the CSIR-NIO has been entrusted with the task of studying the pollution levels, which will gauge the quantum of pollution.

Responding to a calling attention motion tabled by Goa Forward Party (GFP) MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar, Cabral said a committee would be formed under Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to demarcate boundaries of all the rivers.

"Once the boundaries are demarcated, all the illegal constructions along the river banks would be demolished," he said.

The minister said strict action would be taken against residential and commercial units that have been releasing sewage in rivers.