The Bombay High Court has directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to conduct inspections and third-party water audits of casino and cruise vessels operating in the River Mandovi, and initiate action under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, against violators. The direction came after a water quality report revealed that faecal coliform levels exceeded the permissible limit, with the highest readings recorded near cruise and casino jetties.

A Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit S. Jamsandekar was hearing a suo motu public interest litigation initiated in the matter of dead fish found floating in Mala Lake. The Pollution Control Board's interim report on monsoon water quality recorded that samples collected showed faecal coliform levels exceeding the permissible limit of 100 MPN per 100 ml. Following the report, Board officials had conducted preliminary inspections of four casino vessels on October 27, 2026, to verify compliance with their Consent to Operate (CTO) conditions.

The Advocate General informed the Court that inspections of cruise vessels were also underway and that the Board was arranging third-party water audits of casino vessels through empanelled agencies. The exercise and preparation of a compliance report were expected to take three months, with immediate action under the Water Act assured against violators in the interim.

The Court directed the Board to submit a detailed report within three months, setting out its inspection findings and action taken against polluters found to be violating CTO conditions or the Water Act.

The Court further asked the Board to submit reports on the samples collected and the measures taken to stop sewage and wastewater discharge into the river from both banks.

“… the Pollution Control Board place on record its Report containing findings based on the collection of the aforementioned samples and further place on record a Report of steps taken to ensure that the discharge of sewage and waste water being disposed on both Banks of the River Mandovi is dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the afore Act.”

The Court also directed the Board to extend its verification of sewage discharge and CTO compliance to establishments along Rua de Ourem Creek and St. Inez Creek, and to submit an interim report by the next hearing.

The Court further directed the Board to undertake a qualitative and quantitative assessment of water quality in Rua de Ourem Creek and St. Inez Creek. The Board was asked to prepare a study proposal covering pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon sampling, laboratory analysis and assessment of the collected data, and commence the work immediately.

“The Board shall undertake a qualitative and quantitative assessment of water quality in Rua do Ourem Creek and St. Inez Creek at the earliest. The GSPCB shall prepare a proposal for a qualitative and quantitative study on the water quality of the Rua de Ourem and St. Inez Creek and shall place a copy of the same before this Court on the next date of hearing,” the Court remarked.

With regard to Mala Lake, the Bench directed the Board to assess water quality at least once every month. If any parameter exceeded permissible limits, the Board was required to take remedial measures, identify the source of pollution and ensure that action under the Water Act was taken against those responsible.

Case Title: 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]