HC disposes off petition on Chicalim shipyard project
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 29
The Bombay High Court at Goa on Monday disposed off a writ petition filed by Chicalim Villagers Action Committee (CVAC) challenging the permission granted for construction of shipyard training institute in Chicalim village allegedly in violation of CRZ notifications.
The CVAC along with co-petitioner Goa Foundation had alleged that Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) had granted clearance for the project in survey no 153/1 of Chicalim village ignoring objections raised by the villagers.
It was also contention of the petitioners that the plot had been converted from mangroves (CRZ I) to industrial in the statutory plans to suit the proposed development. They prayed that the court quash and set aside the clearance granted by GCZMA and also restrain respondents from carrying out any development on the plot.
On November 13, 2005 gram sabha of Chicalim panchayat had rejected setting up of a shipyard whereas in 2006 it had also passed a resolution opposing the project.
The petition was heard by a division bench of Justices S J Vazifdar and U D Salvi. The Advocate General Subodh Kantak told the Court that Michael D’Souza, Member Secretary, GCZMA had already stated in his affidavit that the clearance granted to the project has been kept in abeyance. And GCZMA would hear all parties before taking any further decision and therefore, nothing further needs to be done in the petition, he stated.
In view of AGs statement, the court disposed off the petition expressing satisfaction at the action initiated by the GCZMA.
