MARGAO: In significant development, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) confirmed that the double tracking work carried out by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) at the Velsao Creek was in violation of the CRZ rules and warned that the damage caused to the fragile ecosystem is irreversible.
Photos were also attached to support their findings.
These were part of the GCZMA team’s findings in the inspection report, which is in possession of O Heraldo. The GCZMA team had inspected the site on
April 12.
The complainants, Goencho Ekvott (GE) founder Orville Dourado Rodrigues and joint secretary Olencio Simoes and RVNL’s Senior Section Engineer Sachin Kumar were present.
Interestingly the Railways has taken a stand that it doesn’t need any statutory permission from any authority to carry out the work.
“Subsequently a mail has been received by this office on April 25 from Sashibhusan Sahoo, RVNL General Manager stating that as per the Railway Act, 1989, Railway is empowered to execute such works in railway operational area for which no statutory permissions are required from any authority,” GCZMA team noted in its report.
In its six observations, it confirmed that the construction work of the railway bridge/culvert falls in CRZ III (200-500 mtr) as per CZMP 2011 and that due to such work and dumping and filling the side of the railway track, the water looks polluted and turbid.
GCZMA pointed out that the railway officials did not produce any permissions/documents from GCZMA/ or any authority to carry out the said work but instead showed a court order for Chandor village on the basis of which they are executing the double tracking work. The on-site work/RCC design plan for the construction of the bridge/culvert was also shown.
“Free flow of creek/poie water is blocked, which is seen to be causing irreversibly impact on the fragile ecosystem. Stagnated water due to blockage by construction of the bridge was observed with debris and dead fish which is a cause of concern,” it added.
The team also made a list of 9 conclusions and recommendations which included that the GCZMA Board deliberated on all this at its Authority meeting.
The team pointed out that the filling of the land is not a permission activity in CRZ III area and that the Railway authority did not show any permission from the concerned authority or any other department for the construction work.
“As per telephonic discussion with WRD officials, they have directed RVNL to submit the detailed drawing of drainage work network vide letter dated March 28 but no drawing has been submitted to the WRD office,” said the team.
It further pointed out that there was cutting of trees for the construction of the tracks and that the Forest Department be asked to give its opinion on this.
“Mud filling along the parallel track should be cleared immediately to ensure full undisturbed flow of water or there are high chances of flooding along the way if action isn’t taken. A pre-monsoon joint inspection should be conducted with WRD and Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) along with GCZMA authority to check the status,” the team concluded.
It directed Railways to clean and restore all other culverts canals and rain/storm waterways to their original position before monsoon.
“As per the discussion with the railway officials, they have given an assurance of completing the construction work within 20 days from the day of inspection. Consequently, they should clear the blocked waterways within 30 days from the date of inspection and they have to clear the water basin they need to restore the water body/creek to its original state before monsoon,” the team added.
