Sub-committee to decide fate of St Inez creek project

PANJIM, MAY 6
The sub-committee under Urban Development Ministry will meet on May 18, to decide whether work of St Inez creek should be taken under Central funds or not.
The beautification of St Inez creek project has been hanging fire since the time it has been taken up under Jawaharlal Nehru National Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for funding.
Sources maintained that the upcoming meeting will come out with the final verdict on the issue.
“Various aspects of the project will be taken up during the meeting. The project has always been under crisis for one or the other reason. The committee will verify all the matters in the meeting,” sources said.
The committee chaired by Manohar Parrikar will then visit the St Inez creek to examine all the illegal activities taking place around the creek.
Rs 17 crore up-gradation project has been on hold since the committee member Nandkumar Kamat raised objection to the concretisation of the creek as it will have an adverse effect on ecology.
Later, along with Kamat, Dr Joe D’Souza and Petricia Pinto strongly expressed their discontent over the constructions that have sprung along the water body. The committee chairman had then decided to have a sight inspection on May 6, which was called off later.
The State government has already forwarded the first slot of projects for funding under JNNURM. Six projects worth Rs 7 crore under heritage conservation as well as six more projects under urban renewal parks and garden at a cost of Rs 11 crore have been forwarded.
Along with St Inez creek project, the mobilisation project has been also kept on hold as the committee is not happy with the draft plan prepared by the civic body.