NIO fears sea-link will affect marine life
SHWETA KAMAT
shwetakamat@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Goa government’s sea-link project faces a roadblock as the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) fears that the construction of the project will affect marine life.
The bridge linking areas around Dona Paula to Vasco was proposed by the state government during last budget.
Government’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) cell is currently studying the project, for which consultancy has also been awarded to Louis Berger Group.
NIO scientists, who were asked to make presentation over feasibility of the sea-link, have warned of massive effect on marine life if the bridge is constructed.
Institute’s marine biology department, in their presentation before the government, has said that shell fish such as oysters, clams and others varieties would be affected as a result of the construction.
The detailed presentation has also expressed threat to the marine life and collapse of the food chain. The presentation was made before PPP director Anupam Kishore.
In April 2010, German company Louis Berger, was awarded the contract for undertaking techno-feasibility study for the proposed sealink project.
During the recently held budget session, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had assured on the floor of the House that the ambitious Sea-Link project would be dropped if its economics does not work out and government finds the construction of the same not feasible.
Kamat had said that government has received details as regards the proposals submitted by the consultant and all pros and cons are being worked out, including project economics.
The government has also sought assistance of Maharashtra Roads Transport Corporation and Planning Commission in this respect.
The sea-link PPP is estimated to cost Rs 1000 crore and will cut the distance between Panjim and Vasco drastically, saving time and improving traffic flow to Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) and the Dabolim Airport. There was fear that environmental consequences would be drastic.
Local officials were inspired by the Bandra-Worli sea bridge in Mumbai and say the Panjim-Vasco link could be built with very low public investment.