Panaji (Goa) The villagers of San Jose de Areal has called on State government demanding immediate closure of Goa Carbon Limited (GCL) unit that has led to major environmental and health hazard in their village.

Social Justice Forum (SJF) in a press statement issued today has said that the manufacture of calcined petroleum coke at the Goa Carbon Limited’s factory has resulted in long-term environmental and health effects on the village.

“There is a direct impact on human health of the particulate matter (PM 10 and 2.5) released by the facility. Children and the elderly are most susceptible to air contamination caused by the particulate matter emitted by the facility,” SJF said.

“The citizens of this area have been exposed to high levels of both PM 2.5 and PM 10 for several years (since the mid 1990s) which has compromised not only our respiratory health but also overall health,” the forum added.

The Forum alleged that despite Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) repeated directions, the GCL has not installed appropriate air pollution control devices to operate within statutory permissible limits.

The villagers recalled that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s during the recent assembly session has assured to revoke consent granted to GCL if they failed to bring the pollution under control.

Team TNV