PANJIM: Work on the much-delayed dedicated mining corridor project, to ferry iron ore from the lease site to jetties, bypassing thickly inhabited areas, is expected to kick start soon, with Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) deciding to tender the first phase of the project in October.
GSIDC, the nodal agency for the project has decided to complete the three phase project within three years. The first phase of the mining corridor is proposed between Uguem and Guddemol, a stretch of around 8.9km.
Speaking to Herald, GSIDC chairman Deepak Prabhu Pawaskar said that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has given the corporation the green signal to start work of the first phase of the project immediately.
“There is some forest issue, which Chief Minister has assured to resolve. We will tender the project latest by October end. The work will commence immediately, thereafter,” he said.
Pawaskar said the corporation will require at least three years to complete the three-phase project. The proposed second phase is between Guddemol and Capxem, a stretch of 8.4km, while the third phase of around 32km will be between Cavrem and Uguem.
Pawaskar said GSIDC will fund the project, which will also include 10 percent share from the District Mineral Funds, where mine owners have paid one third of their royalty payment for the development of areas affected by mining activities.
In 2011, then Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, had mooted the idea of having dedicated mining corridors for the State. It, however, never took shape, initially due to funding issues after mining companies declined to finance it, followed by a two-year long ban on the industry in September 2012.
