The IPB meeting under the chairmanship of Parsekar makes no mention of the marina projects – Yacht Haven Goa Marina at Sancoale and Kargwal Marina Nauxi, Bambolim – which were given “in principle” approval by the board, two months ago.
Sources confirmed that the chief minister did not make any mention about reconsidering the marina projects at the meeting which went on for nearly four hours. “The issue was not even raised,” sources said, adding that the meeting only cleared five expansion projects and some recommendations, including an amendment to the Factories Act allowing women to work night shifts.
Speaking to a section of the media earlier this month, the chief minister had said he would review the marina projects at the next IPB meeting as his government did not intend to force things on people.
The in-principle clearance to the two marinas has led to opposition from the ruling benches, with a minister, Alina Saldanha, and a legislator, Vishnu Wagh, opposing the marinas proposed in their respective constituencies.
Also authorities like Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and Goa Bio-diversity Board have refused to grant permission to the marinas.
The proposed marina at Sancoale bay, located 11 km from the mouth of the Zuari river is expected to serve 311 yachts ranging between 8 metres and 40 metres in length, while the marina at Nauxim bay, 8 km from the mouth of the river, will have berthing facilities for nearly 223 yachts and pleasure boats ranging from 5 metres and to superyachts of 125 metres length.
