Team Herald
PANJIM: The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has sought an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study on the proposed passenger ropeway project between Panjim to Reis Magos.
Along with a detailed study on impact of solid waste on Mandovi estuary, the project proponent- Royal Rides Pvt Ltd has been directed to submit the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) map by superimposing the latest Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) of the State.
The project proponent had approached the EAC for grant of Terms of Reference (ToR) for conducting the EIA for ‘Development, Operation and Maintenance of Passenger Ropeway along-with Ancillary Tourism Activity between Panjim to Reis Magos’.
“Due to rapid growth in the tourist footfalls, there is immense pressure on resources on the beaches. In our endeavour to reduce the pressure on beach tourism and to further enhance Goa’s tourist appeal by way of improving the variety of its tourism attractions, we will develop a “Detachable Monocable Gondola” system with ancillary tourism facilities from Panjim to Reis Magos,” the project proponent said.
It further stated that the project will act as a good recreational activity for all tourist groups including family, kids, etc and will also provide a positive influence on economic activity, thus leading to the upliftment in the surrounding areas too.
The passenger capacity of the ropeway is 800 people per hour (PPH) which can be expandable up to 1000 PPH. The total number of trips per day depends on operational hours. It can cover 288 trips per 24 hrs during peak time. A total capacity of 8 passengers can be carried at one time.
Approximately 250 local labourers will be employed. The total population envisaged for the proposed project during operational phase will be 18,750 (Tourist Activity-Visitors- 16,000, Tourist Activity-Staff- 1,600, Food Court & Restaurants-Visitors- 1,000 and Food Court & Restaurants-Staff- 150).
The company has clarified that there will be no displacement or immigration of the human population due to the proposed project.
While recommending grant of ToR, the Committee has asked the project proponent to prepare the EIA and submit the same to the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) for conducting a public hearing.
The EAC has recommended that the EIA should study the safety risks associated with the construction and operation of the Ropeway and draw up a detailed safety management plan. It has also recommended that the EIA should also speak about the impact of the ropeway on traffic movement and parking facilities. Further, they advised that the EIA should submit a plan ensuring the segregation of passenger cars with luggage cars in the ropeway and work out the minimum size of baggage to be allowed on the passenger cabin cars. Another recommendation was that the EIA should carry out an examination of the ground water/ water body contamination from septic tank/soak pit, the impact of odours from the bio-toilets and its management should be specified.
