PANAJI:  The Environment Minister, Mr Aleixo Sequeira on Thursday informed the House that 10 out of 11 cruise boats operating in Mandovi river were disposing various types of garbage and waste material generated on them, directly into the river.

“The Goa State Pollution Control Board has not issued consent to establish or consent to operate these cruise boats under the Water Act or the Air Act,” he informed, adding that the applications of these cruise boats are under scrutiny.
“In view of the various complaints received, the GSPCB officials have conducted inspections of all the cruise boats operating on the River Mandovi,” he added.
The Environment Minister also informed that M V Blessings, M V Swasti and M V Swasti Vijaya, all cruise boats operated by M/s Swasti Cruises discharge sewage generated on them directly into the rivers, while M V Coral Queen, M V Paradise II, M V Emerald Queen, M V Paradise, M V Santa Monica, Royal Cruise and M V Princesa de Goa, directly discharge the toilet water and wash water into the river, and their solid waste is disposed either at the plastic disposal centre below the Mandovi bridge or collected by the rag-pickers.    
It was further informed that the GSPCB will ensure that the cruise boats follow all requirements in disposal of sewage and garbage. “As regards noise pollution, the pollution control board will continue to submit noise monitoring reports to the designated authority under the Noise (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, as amended in 2010, for necessary action,” Mr Sequeira maintained.