HC disposes of plea against villas rising near Oxel spring

Panaji: The high court has disposed of the PIL challenging the construction of eight villas in the vicinity of Oxel spring at Siolim. The petitioners, Suraj Chodankar, a resident of the area, and Avertino Miranda, a green activist, objected to the construction, stating that the spring is one of the most important ecological assets of the village and still used as a drinking water source.
They argued that the septic tanks and soak pits of the project would degrade the environment and contaminate the water.
The HC, while disposing of the petition, told the water resources department to maintain continuous surveillance of the spring to protect its quality and quantity, ensuring that it is not affected or polluted.
Justices Bharati Dangre and Nivedita Mehta further observed that the sewage treatment plant (STP), which will be installed, will address concerns about pollution of the spring.
The private party constructing the villas informed the HC that the STP will be installed 93.6m from the spring and treated water will be used for gardening and other miscellaneous work.
The HC said that an expert body had expressed a clear opinion that the upcoming construction, located in the western part of the spring, does not fall within the catchment area. The HC also said the experts had noted that the flow direction map indicates water flowing from Oxel spring rather than towards it, and therefore, there is no immediate threat to the water body.