SIRSAIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa granted time on Wednesday to the respondents in the Sirsaim hill cutting and excavation case to file their reply.
The hill cutting is being undertaken for supplying mud and stones for construction of four-lane National Highway 17 from Karaswada to Bambolim.
The petitioners in this matter are members of Goencho Avaaz, who filed PIL Writ Petition on December 31 to protect the natural environment of Sirsaim from illegal quarry and hill cutting operations being carried out in forest area. According to Goencho Avaaz, the contractor has no environment clearance, permission from Town and Country Planning, and conversion sanad or forest clearance.
When the matter came up for hearing on Wednesday, the respondents failed to appear in court and hence the stay was extended till February 11.
