Team Herald
PANJIM: In a major development, the bench of the National Green Tribunal at Pune, has granted a stay on the construction of ‘illegal’ jetty at Chapora and directed the GCZMA to furnish compliance report within three weeks.
Dr Justice Jawad Rahim, Judicial member and Dr Ajay Deshpande, expert member, passing the order stated, “We are satisfied that prima facie a case is made out but ex-parte order would not be proper at this stage.”
“The material furnished on record indicates that work has not commenced but photographs indicate construction activity at the site. In the circumstances we direct the GCZMA to conduct spot inspection at the earliest and if found that activity is still in progress without required environmental clearances, take appropriate steps as required by law,” the order states.
Further, the order states, this observation is for the reason that there is already information furnished to the applicant that project requires environmental CRZ clearances and preparation of EIA report based on expert opinion.
“In the circumstances we direct the GCZMA to comply with the order within 3 weeks and submit report to the tribunal,” the order states. NGT has also directed GCZMA to issue notices to all respondents.
On April 18, Herald had reported that the Water Resources Department has taken up construction of a Rs 16 crore jetty at Siolim without conducting an Environment Impact Assessment or a study by NIO.
Activists had alleged that the construction of the jetty is being carried out without even an NOC from the panchayat. Locals are up in the arms as they suspect the illegal construction of the jetty at a brisk pace is being done to shift the offshore casinos from River Mandovi.
Documents obtained under Right to Information reveal that WRD Minister Dayanand Mandrekar had proposed repairs of the bundh connecting the Siolim fish market, which was also sanctioned by the department, but instead of a bundh, the work of the jetty has been taken up on the same proposal.
