PANJIM: The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) ignored essential remarks made by its own experts post their site inspection while granting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC); the project of construction of a walkway and cycle track including the construction of an “arch bridge” over the Mandovi promenade, under the Panjim Smart city project.
The bridge is supposed to connect the promenade and the walkway cum cycling track to the Dayanand Bandodkar road over the St Inez Creek.
Patricia Pinto, one of the petitioners who challenged the construction of the arch bridge before the NGT, said that in the NOC given to GSIDC for the project, there is no mention about a bridge being constructed over the river for which large concrete piles have already been constructed on a sandy strip of the beach at the mouth of St Inez Creek at ESG.
Herald is in possession of the inspection report, conducted and written on 17/03/22 by Sujeet Kumar Dongre, GCZMA Expert Member and Satish Kumar Naik, Field Supervisor, Office of GCZMA.
The experts pointed out that the area where the project is proposed falls under Mandovi estuarine zone, which is an “ecologically sensitive area”. However, still the GCZMA went ahead to issue NOC to GSIDC for the project.
The GCZMA experts said that steps should be taken to ensure that no ecological productivity of the area is hampered, detailing the following:
Avoid any irreversible damage to the estuarine zone
“At the time of undertaking protection and restoration activities, due care must be taken to avoid any irreversible damage to the estuarine zone by following all scientific protocols and materials (including construction and restoration),” reads the inspection report.
Maintain free flow of tidal influenced water where streams connect to the estuary
The Dongre-Naik inspection report further states “Free flow of any tidal influenced water be maintained wherever such streams/drains/nallah/creeks are connecting to the estuary especially one near the indoor stadium and St Inez Creek mouth near ESG to avoid upstream flooding,” it reads further.
Study the EIA report submitted by project proponent (GSIDC for the Smart City project)
The experts had also recommended to the GCZMA to study the EIA report submitted by the project proponent and deliberate while taking an appropriate decision as per the CRZ regulation in force.
Information received under the Right to Information Act 2005 by Former CCP Councillor Patricia Pinto, has revealed that the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation has not taken any permission from the Captain of Ports Department for the construction of the arch bridge.
The citizens in their plea before the NGT have raised grave concerns that the human intervention in constructing a concrete groyne and pile foundation for the bridge will have a devastating effect on the tidal flow of the St Inez Creek.
Environment activist and educator Vishal Rawlley said the walkway and cycle track projects which also induce the arch bridge are “unnecessary” and “environmentally destructive”.
“So much concrete and granite dumped along the coastline trying to make the rigid edge, is a completely foolish approach. It cuts off the whole ecosystem consisting of the sandy beaches, crabs, snails and shellfish, which all breed in this area. Migratory birds come and it is a happy hunting ground for them,” Vishal Rawlley said.
He further said that the government is destroying the entire ecology, the sand dunes, vegetation, and natural barriers against the tidal current in the area that is ecologically fragile.
The NGT has admitted the application by citizens of Panjim challenging the construction of arch bridge and has constituted a three-member committee directing it to visit the site and submit an action taken report in the light of the averments made in the application, within one month. The matter is scheduled to come up for hearing in the NGT on March 27.
