Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has stayed the construction of four-lane flyover from Zuarinagar to Bogmalo and has directed the Indian Navy to decide on granting No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the project.
During the hearing, the three petitioners Commodore Atul Pant, Sanjay Redkar, Jayesh Shetgaonkar and the Forum Against Corruption, Illegalities and Destruction, Mormugao brought to the notice of the Court, a communication dated October 23, 2024 and the information received under the Right To Information (RTI) Act wherein the Area Public Information Officer of the Indian Navy stated that no application for No Objection Certificate was received.
One of the petitioners Commodore Atul Pant, a retired Indian Navy Officer, in his Public Interest Litigation (PIL) writ petition stated that the ‘alleged flyover bridge’ under construction at Vasco was falling within the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) and prayed that the ongoing work be stopped.
Representing the Flag Officer Commanding, Goa Area and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, New Delhi, Deputy Solicitor General of India Pravin Faldessai submitted that No Objection Certificate has been granted for the flyover and that they have intimated to the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) that the construction activity be stopped forthwith, a copy of which was also forwarded to the National Highway Authority (NHAI).
Following this, the High Court stayed the construction work and directed the Indian Navy Flag Officer Commanding, Goa Area to decide on the application of the NHAI within next two weeks.
The construction work has been awarded to the M Venkatrao Infra Projects Private Limited.
Reacting to the High Court order, South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes said that it has brought relief to the people. He said that the NHAI months back suddenly went on a construction spree at the MES Junction, Zuarinagar, Sancoale by building huge pillars without obtaining NOC from the Indian Navy. Despite repeated reminders and stern warnings from the Navy, the NHAI refused to respond to the concerns raised by the Navy.
According to Capt Fernandes, the flyover would be a threat to the security of the Dabolim International Airport.