PANJIM: Stating that ‘prima facie’ it does not find any fault with the third Mandovi bridge project proponent Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC), the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slammed Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) for the manner of their approach towards the project, which falls under the coastal regulation zone (CRZ).
NGT, while disposing off the petition filed by Goa Foundation, in its final judgment noted that it is manifest that the entire controversy over the project arose due to the ineffective regulatory role played by GCZMA.
The Authority had granted No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the project proponent in 2014, which was challenged before NGT.
“At this stage, we do not prime facie find much fault with the project proponent i.e. GSIDC for the simple reason that they had approached Regulatory Authority of the GCZMA for necessary permission and GCZMA has given them NOC on 4th March 2014 and only thereafter, they have started the construction,” the order passed by tribunal bench comprising judicial member Justice Jawad Rahim and expert member Ajay A Deshpande states.
“It is manifest that the entire controversy arose due to the ineffective regulatory role played by GCZMA. We are not aware under what circumstances, without critical information about impact of the project, how GCZMA thought it prudent and necessary to grant the NOC,” it added.
“We regret to note that the GCZMA approach while considering this project is far from the role it has been mandated as Regulatory Authority under CRZ notification. In fact the GCZMA has been mandated with an elaborate role, which is more expressly referred in a notification dated 22nd July 2013 constituting the GCZMA,” the NGT noted.
Records indicate that GSIDC approached GCZMA which granted them conditional NOC on 4th March 2014. “We are perplexed to understand this particular communication as the NOC directs GSIDC to obtain information available with National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) regarding impact on river bank morphology, bathymetry and sedimentation,” the order states.
Further, GCZMA has not even considered EIA report and the NOC was granted within a month. As such, NGT has directed GSIDC to apply to GCZMA for fresh CRZ clearance for the project as per clause 4.2 of CRZ notification 2011. GSIDC has to also submit an updated EIA report.
GCZMA has been directed to carry out inspection of construction activity and ensure that the bridge construction is not adversely affecting the coastal environment.
