Team Herald
PANJIM: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a committee to inspect the ongoing work of six-lane bridge across River Zuari, following a petition filed before alleging violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) in the construction of the bridge.
NGO Federation of Rainbow Warriors in their petition before the NGT Principal Bench has alleged that the project had not complied with the condition of the CRZ clearance issued by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) on December 1, 2015 for the construction of a four/six-lane bridge across river Zuari on National Highway-17.
“It is further alleged that construction is being carried out by reclaiming CRZ-I areas and that there is indiscriminate felling of mangroves in order to carry out ancillary activities, which are in violation of the clearance,” said the NGO. They added that although the Environment Clearance (EC) granted, is only for the “bridge” component of the project but work has been in commencement with respect to the “elevated approaches”, for which no prior CRZ clearance has been obtained.
In its order passed on August 27, NGT constituted a committee consisting of officials from GCZMA, Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority and Goa Pollution Control Board. The committee has been directed to inspect the project and verify factual aspects and issues raised by the applicant and submit the report.
The tribunal has granted liberty to GCZMA to take necessary action if the allegations are found to be correct. The Authority has also been told to furnish compliance report to the tribunal before the next date of hearing, which is on October 10.
The petitioner has also alleged that the construction debris was being disposed off in CRZ areas. They have also claimed that the ‘Mangrove Conservation and Management Plan’ has not been provided, prior to commencement of work at the site.
They have also complained about the failure to monitor ambient air quality, noise level and ground and surface water, which is required to be done through the construction phase and also prominently displayed at the site.
