PANJIM: In a major relief to the State government, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday granted the green nod for construction of the Tiracol bridge, connecting Keri to Tiracol stating that the project is a matter of ‘public utility’.
Goa Foundation had challenged the construction of the bridge citing violations of coastal regulation zone (CRZ) norms, and that the project is proposed in a No Development Zone (NDZ) with no mitigation measures having been taken against possible adverse consequences on fishing.
“Having regard to the fact that Tiracol bridge may be a matter of public utility and the same can be constructed without any adverse damage to the environment, there is no justification to stop the same in absence of any illegality being shown,” the principal bench chaired by Adarsh Kumar Goel said in its order.
The application was disposed off with a direction that the construction of the bridge may proceed after taking all due precautions in accordance with the law.
The Bench has asked the project proponent to ensure implementation all the observations and recommendations of the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai (NIOT).
NIOT has recommended increase in the elevation of pile cap by one meter above high flood level to allow natural movement of the sand. It has suggested monitoring of the morphological changes of sand spit at the bridge pillar to study the seasonal and long-term variability.
The study also speaks about monitoring the shoreline changes up to two kms on the either side of the pillar No 6, both in open coast and estuary.
