Goa told to close down 9 units

The Goa bench of Bombay High Court today directed state authorities to strictly implement the State Pollution Control Board's order on closure of nine industries in the Cuncolim industrial estate.

The bench comprising Justices S Radhakrishnan and N A Britto also directed the South Goa collector and Goa Industrial Development Corporation to ensure strict compliance with the closure notices issued by the pollution board.

The court asked the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), in coordination with State Pollution Control Board experts, to study the environmental impact and disposal of solid waste of all these companies and to submit a report by November 20.

The court further directed the industries to deposit Rs 50,000 each within three days to cover the costs of the NEERI study. The matter was adjourned till November 27.

The court issued its orders after hearing a public interest litigation filed by one Oscar Martins, a resident of Cucolim.