PANJIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Friday assured panchayat members from St Andre constituency to scrap the proposed Nauxim marina project, which is being opposed by the locals. This was revealed by St Andre MLA Francis Silveira after a meeting with the CM.
A delegation of seven village panchayats – Batim, Curca-Bambolim, Siridao, Gancim, Azossim, Cujira, Talaulim and Calapur – led by Silveira met the Chief Minister demanding that the project be scrapped as it will affect the livelihood of the local fishing community and lead to environmental degradation.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Silveira said the Chief Minister has assured to scrap the marina project if the people of Nauxim do not want it. “The village panchayat members pointed out the reason for opposing the marina project. The Chief Minister was convinced and has assured to scrap the project in the interest of people,” he said.
The MLA said that the Chief Minister will call for the required documents and accordingly issue directions for scrapping the project. “The Chief Minister himself will make an official statement on this soon,” Silveira said.
Silveira said that the project was initially approved in 2010 by the Congress government, but was kept on hold following public protests. “In 2015, the project was again approved by the Investment Promotion Board (IPB),” he said.
Curca-Bambolim deputy sarpanch Gautam Naik said the people will have to work in sync with the local MLA if pressure has to be mounted on the government to scrap the project. “Merely holding meetings and criticizing government won’t solve the issue,” he said, referring to the recent public meeting by Goenkar Against Marina.
Naik said that the Chief Minister has respected the sentiments of the people and has assured to scrap the project.
