Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) has decided to issue stop work order to the ongoing construction of a jetty on Mandovi River by the Department of Captain of Ports (CoP) as it observed environmental violation.
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The SEAC during its meeting held on March 11 has asked the CoP that it will have to apply for Terms of Reference (ToR) for the project, only after which decision on environment clearance would be taken.
Scientist Joe D’Souza, who had approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) with his complaint after coastal body dismissed it, had pointed out serious environment violation by CoP project.
As such an inspection was carried out by the committee and it stated that there was a case of environmental violation.
The NGT has issued notices to the State government and the matter will be heard next on March 21.
“The committee identified that the project is a case of violation and they have to apply ToR under violation case and the committee decided to issue stop work order till the grant of environment clearance,” the SEAC said.
D’Souza had earlier filed complained to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) objecting to the construction of the CoP terminal building on the banks of the Mandovi River. The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) had however, said it found no merit in the complaint.
