The Bombay High Court has stepped in to address serious environmental violations in Goa, demanding answers from state authorities about an illegal stone crushing unit operating in clear defiance of the law.
Court Intervenes in Environmental Violation Case
On Monday, the Bombay High Court officially sought a response from the Goa state government regarding a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning an illegal stone crusher unit operating in Rumbrem, Sanvordem. The court specifically questioned why the Goa State Pollution Control Board failed to take action despite receiving multiple complaints about the unlawful operation.
Petitioners Sapnil Bhandari and Pratap Dessai brought the matter to the court's attention, revealing that the stone crushing unit has been functioning on land specifically designated as orchard area in the Regional Plan 2021. The illegal operation sits directly on a traditional rainwater nullah, creating significant environmental concerns.
Multiple Legal Violations Uncovered
According to the petitioners' submissions, the local panchayat had already issued a stop notice to the unit, directing them to immediately cease all illegal activities. The notice explicitly stated that no valid permissions existed for any operations at the site and highlighted the critical issue of blocking water flow through the natural nullah.
The investigation revealed that the unit operates without the mandatory consent to operate from the Goa State Pollution Control Board under both the Water and Air Acts. Furthermore, the operation lacks necessary approvals from the town and country planning department, making its existence completely unauthorized.
Environmental damage at the site includes illegal tree felling conducted using earth movers and heavy machinery. The unit only possessed a provisional No Objection Certificate from the Sanvordem panchayat, which isn't due to expire until April 2025, yet continues operations in violation of multiple regulations.
Legal Proceedings and Demands for Action
Advocate Shivan Desai, representing the petitioners, informed the High Court that the stone crusher unit continues to operate in blatant violation of the law, causing daily pollution that affects both the environment and local communities.
The Public Interest Litigation seeks immediate directions to multiple authorities including the TCP department, Block Development Officer of Sanguem, and Sanvordem panchayat to take concrete action against the illegal construction and operations. As an interim measure, the petitioners have requested that the premises be sealed to prevent further illegal stone crushing and construction activities.
The case highlights growing concerns about environmental protection and legal compliance in industrial operations across Goa, with the High Court's intervention signaling serious judicial scrutiny of the matter.
