The Bombay High Court has directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to conduct inspections and independent water audits of casino and cruise vessels operating in the River Mandovi after water quality assessments revealed faecal coliform levels exceeding permissible limits, with particularly high concentrations detected near casino and cruise jetties.
A Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit S. Jamsandekar directed the Pollution Control Board to initiate appropriate proceedings under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, against establishments found violating environmental standards or conditions stipulated in their Consent to Operate (CTO).
The directions were passed while hearing a suo motu public interest litigation initiated following reports of dead fish floating in Mala Lake. The proceedings have since brought the pollution concerns surrounding the River Mandovi under judicial scrutiny.
An interim report submitted by the Pollution Control Board on monsoon water quality revealed that samples collected from the river had recorded faecal coliform concentrations exceeding the permissible threshold of 100 MPN per 100 ml. The highest readings were reported in areas adjoining casino and cruise jetties.
Following these findings, Board officials conducted preliminary inspections of four casino vessels on October 27, 2026, to ascertain whether they were complying with the conditions stipulated in their respective CTO permissions.
During the hearing, the Advocate General informed the Bench that inspections of cruise vessels were also underway. The Board was additionally arranging third-party water audits of casino vessels through its empanelled agencies.
The Court was informed that the inspection and audit exercise, together with the preparation of a comprehensive compliance report, would require approximately three months. The Advocate General assured the Bench, however, that the Board would not defer enforcement action during this period and would initiate immediate proceedings under the Water Act wherever violations were detected.
Taking note of the submissions, the High Court directed the Pollution Control Board to submit a comprehensive report within three months, detailing the findings of the inspections, outcomes of the water audits and action taken against establishments found contravening CTO conditions or statutory requirements under the Water Act.
The Bench also directed the Board to place on record details of water samples collected from the river and measures undertaken to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage and wastewater into the Mandovi from both its banks.
Broadening the scope of its environmental scrutiny, the Court directed the Board to extend its inspections to establishments situated along Rua de Ourem Creek and St. Inez Creek. The exercise would examine sewage disposal practices and compliance with applicable environmental permissions and CTO conditions. An interim report on these inspections has been sought by the next date of hearing.
The Bench further ordered a systematic qualitative and quantitative assessment of water quality in both creeks. The Board was asked to formulate a comprehensive study proposal covering sample collection during the pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon periods, laboratory testing and scientific evaluation of the findings. The proposal is to be placed before the Court, with the assessment exercise commencing at the earliest.
With regard to Mala Lake, which triggered the suo motu proceedings following the discovery of dead fish, the Court directed the Pollution Control Board to undertake water quality testing at least once every month.
The Bench further stipulated that any parameter found to exceed the prescribed permissible limits must be followed by appropriate remedial measures. The Board was also directed to identify the sources of contamination and initiate proceedings under the Water Act against those found responsible for the pollution.
The matter is titled High Court on its Own Motion (In the Matter of the Dead Fish Found Floating in Mala Lake) v. State of Goa, Public Interest Litigation (Suo Motu) No. 2 of 2026.
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