NGT to hear Assolda rail freight terminal case

Team Herald

CURCHOREM: The appeal filed by the Assolda panchayat in the rail freight terminal matter will come up for hearing before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on February 22, informed Sarpanch Dayanand Naik at a panchayat meeting on Sunday.

The appeal was filed through Naik and prayed for a direction calling for the records of the case for examining the legality thereof and to quash and set aside the environment clearance granted to Sociedade de Industrial Pvt Ltd by the Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (GSEIAA) for the construction of a rail freight terminal for handling multi-cargo system at Assolda and Xic-Xelvona.

The appeal was filed under Section 16 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, against GSEIAA, Sociedade de Fomento, the State of Goa, the Goa State Pollution Control Board, Union Ministry of Environment and Forest and Principal Conservator of Forest. It also prayed to stay the operation of the impugned environment clearance granted to the company, pending the hearing and final disposal of the petition.

It may be recalled that during a special gram sabha of Assolda, Xelvona, Xic-Xelvona and Hodar panchayats in January, it was decided to file an appeal before the NGT opposing the proposed rail freight terminal in Assolda and Xic-Xelvona. The people also demanded a special meeting every second Sunday to inform about the progress of the case in the NGT.

Meanwhile, the separate petition filed by Assolda residents Piety Fernandes, Sharon Fernandes, Govind Raut Dessai, Manuel Fernandes and Govind Balkrish Raut Dessai in the NGT on the same issue will also come up for hearing on February 22.

“We did not file an appeal in the NGT to challenge the panchayat, but just to take a precaution,” said Piety, adding that they are opposing the proposed project tooth and nail and will not allow it under any circumstances.

He appealed to the government to take the cognizance of the feelings expressed by the villagers and to direct the concerned department to revoke the NOC immediately.