Team Herald
PONDA: Activists on Wednesday said that it is not possible to get IIT project at Bhutkhamb Plateau in Keri as it is an eco-sensitive zone and the lifeline of Priol.
The statement comes after several top politicians residing in Ponda had recently had said that if IIT project is opposed at Melauli then government should explore the possibility of relocating the project at Farmagudi or at Bhutkhamb Plateau on SEZ land of Nylon 6,6 Project.
The activists said politicians should think twice before bringing the IIT at Bhutkhamb.
They questioned where is the 10 lakh sq mtrs of land owned by government in Ponda where it can set up IIT free of cost and suggested that IIT should be set up on the 1.5 lakh sq mtrs of land available at GEC premises at Farmagudi.
Convenor of Goencho Kul Mundakaracho Awaz, Ramkrishna Zalmi, who fought against nylon 6,6 Project at Bhutkhamb Plateau said, “IIT is not possible at Bhutkhamb Plateau and politicians should not talk without discussing the issue with locals.”
Zalmi said, “IIT should be set up in land available at GEC as it is educational hub. There is around 12 lakh sq mtrs of SEZ land of Nylon 6,6 at Keri, however this SEZ land issue is pending before the Supreme Court. IIT at this plateau is not possible as the land is catchment area and a source of water to Bagayats and agricultural activities in surrounding villages of Priol.”
He said, “The villages fought against nylon 6,6 project in 1995 fearing pollution to bagayats due to project and a local Nilesh Naik was martyred.
According to him, IIT if not accepted by Melauli locals, should be shifted to Farmagudi. 1.5 lakh sq mtrs of land in GEC premises will sufficient for the project.
Social activist Swati Kerkar said, “Bhutkhamb Plateau has 12 lakh sq mtrs of land where agitation was staged against nylon 6,6 project. It is eco-sensitive and bagayats, agricultural activities of all the surrounding villages depend on it as it is fertile land and main source of water to the villagers.”
Kerkar said, “I fail to understand how politicians talk about bringing the IIT project here without knowing the importance of this plateau. It is the lifeline of Priol.”
“We are not against IIT but it is not possible at this location. The Keri Panchayat has already passed a resolution opposing mega projects at the Bhutkhamb Plateau. Even NIO, which conducted a study of the plateau, had declared it as eco-sensitive,” said Kerkar.
She said the villagers had prayed in SC to handover this land back to original owners.
Kerkar further questioned the need of 10 lakh sq mtrs of land for IIT. She suggested that the 1.5 lakh sq mtrs of land available at GEC Farmagudi can be utilized to set up IIT.
