Is mangrove felling for handling coal?
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 25
While there are talks of a dry dock on the banks of river Mandovi at Tottewada (Tontem) in Naroa village of Bicholim taluka, where extensive mangrove felling has occurred, the man at the centre of the controversy Capt Virendra Mehta continues to add he has no plans to build anything at the site.
Capt Mehta of Panjim-based Sea Scan Marine Services who bought property bearing survey Nos 8 and 9 where the mangrove felling has taken place maintains he is not responsible and said the pristine cover was destroyed some two to three years back much before he became the owner.
Residents claim Capt Mehta has assured them of jobs at his proposed project (a dry dock), but speaking to Herald he has denied the villagers’ claims and instead said he intends to use the property for agricultural activities.
Contrary to claims by the man, Shreepati Group, a Mumbai-based company had featured the Goa project on its website (dated June 29, 2010). The name of Sea Scan Services Pvt Ltd was also prominently displayed.
The project highlighted is a port facility for handling iron ore and coal cargo including shipbuilding at Naroa in Bicholim in an area of 2,00,000 sq mtrs. The status of the project states it is under planning stage.
When contacted today, Capt Mehta admitted the company name next to Shreepati’s was his and he was aware of this Mumbai entity. However, he denied of having anything to do with the company and the entire project.
