VASCO: It is proved beyond doubt that not only the citizens of Mormugao taluka but even people from other parts of Goa are outraged with all three proposed expansions by Mormugao Port Trust (MPT). Meanwhile, Goans during the public hearing held on Thursday completely rejected the proposal for deepening of approach channel and inner basin for capsize vessels at Mormugao.

People from all walks of life, including fishermen, businessmen, advocates, doctors, environmentalists besides the social activist groups, not only demonstrated their ire against GSPCB for placing such disaster proposal before the people, but also warned the pollution board not to give any consent for such proposed project of deepening of approach channel by MPT.

The crucial hearing for deepening of approach channel by MPT started after lunch and while expressing their views on the proposal, RTI activist Avinash Tavares raised his objections over the draft EIA said that the project and baseline conditions is grossly inadequate. “The methods followed and models used in data generation and analysis are unreliable. Similarly, the methods followed and models used for impact prediction are not comprehensive, irrelevant and unreliable.  Risk analysis done and based on which disaster management plan prepared is inadequate and therefore EIA report must be scrapped and MPT should not be allowed to dredge the channel.”

Marine biologist Pooja Mitra through video presentation made her submission that “we recommend that the expansion should be rejected as the coral reef which is a protected and significant ecosystem in Goa, located in Grande Island which is located 7.5 km from the dredging area.