While the state government has big plans to open lands for petrochemical companies in Konkan, the environmentalists fear degeneration of the area. Chemical factories that have come up so far in the region have polluted the rivers and creeks with untreated effluent. This has even put the people’s lives into danger, an environment expert pointed out.
“Most of the chemical industries are throwing untreated effluent in creeks,” environmentalist Satyajeet Chavan said.
“Vasisthi river in Chiplun, Savitri river in Mahad, Pundalika in Roha and Patalganga in Rasayani have been so much polluted that one can see black water. Boisar river near Mumbai has become a gutter. Petrochemical companies will further harm the environment in Konkan. There are modern technologies like zero effluent from Japan. But the government does not force companies to use such technologies,” he said. He also ridiculed the government’s claim of bringing more employment for the locals. “The companies offer employment to the locals but at very meagre salaries. Traditional businesses get affected due to effluents... The companies always get away with a fine,” Mr Chavan said.
