Team Herald
PANJIM: Giving a green signal to the Corporation of the City of Panaji’s (CCP) organic waste management facility behind the petrol pump at Patto, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has noted that the proposed project has the requisite permissions from the concerned authorities and that it is in the public interest.
GCZMA arrived at this conclusion following a site inspection, deliberations and on considering the presentation made by CCP Commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues and a map submitted by the representatives. “Authority noted that the CCP has obtained all the requisite approvals, permissions and NOCs for the said project.
The Authority also noted that the said project is of public interest for purpose of sanitation and is an attempt to collect and process the waste material,” the minutes of the GCZMA meeting held on July 6, read.
A total of 3,500 sq mtrs of area has been acquired for setting up the facility.
During the meeting, the CCP commissioner submitted a copy of the proposal to establish an organic waste management facility on the site. CCP obtained the required permissions from GCZMA, North Goa Development and Planning Authority (NGPDA), in-principle approval from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), Town and Country Planning (TCP) and from the north Goa collector.
The Commissioner also produced Google Images for the years 2003, 2005, 2012, 2014 and 2015 as evidence to prove that the property is a piece of land and stated that they have planted 500 saplings of mangroves in the area in consultation with the Forest Department.
He informed the authority that they have completed 60 per cent of the project and assured that upon completion, necessary approvals for operation would be sought.
National Green Tribunal (NGT), hearing a petition filed by social activist Kashinath Shetye, maintained status quo on the project and directed GCZMA to look into the matter.
GCZMA also decided to submit a map before the NGT that indicates land fillng in the property that bears Survey No. 76/2 and 3 (partly) of village Morambi-O-Pequeno. The map shows the high tide line and the mangrove area and the distance from the fabricated structure.
GCZMA also decided to direct the deputy collector and SDO, Tiswadi to initiate action to restore to its original state the area where land filling has been carried out.
