Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who as chief minister came across several petitions to halt development projects, took a dig at these NGOs saying, “I really don’t understand why some people oppose development. Some of them have this habit of dragging matters to court and this leads to delaying the projects. I am happy that NGT (National Green Tribunal) has thrown out the matter pertaining to the upcoming third Mandovi Bridge. I hope the construction of the new cantilever bridge will go smoothly,” he said.
Parrikar recalled that the new Patto Bridge faced the same issues. “The bridge is now being used easing heavy traffic movement to a certain extent. The people should answer why this bridge was the need of the hour,” he added.
The third Mandovi Bridge ran into rough weather when Goa Foundation challenged the destruction of mangroves alleging that the government had failed to obtain an environment clearance.
In a breather to government, the tribunal in its order on Thursday directed environmental clearance for the bridge in four months.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar echoed Parrikar’s words as he also pulled up the former Congress government for denying importance to infrastructure and education.
