Team Herald
CAVELOSSIM: A site inspection conducted by Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) at a property in Cavelossim recently has revealed that two structures constructed by M/s Silva Fisheries are illegal since they fall within the No Development Zone of the CRZ area of River Sal at Mobor.
The inspection conducted on June 29 by GCZMA’s Dr Prabakar Shirodkar and Audhoot Bhonsule revealed that while the plinth area of the newly constructed ‘workshop’ is 479 sq mts, the original existing structure at the site has a plinth area of just 160 square meters.
The report which was given by GCZMA to the complainant Irish Pasannha, President of the Cavellosim Village Forum (CVF) clarifies that the GCZMA had granted conditional NOC stating that the reconstruction should be done only on the existing plinth without increasing the plinth area.
The report reveals that “The construction done at the site by Sebastiano D’Silva is contrary to CRZ Regulations, wherein, the old structure used as a workshop is maintained at the site to accommodate the labourers. Thus both the old workshop structure as well as the new structure constructed are three times bigger in size and are used for workshop activities.”
The report goes on to state that the violator has taken advantage of the NOC issued by GCZMA and done new construction of a huge structure with height increase for using as a workshop and other reconstruction is also done which is not as per the NOC issued by GCZAM and so both are in violation of the CRZ Regulations.
Herald visited the site on Monday to find that the workshop was operational with 5 lathe machines actively at work, building components for ship repairs. Even though the construction was not complete, a heavy duty fuse box was installed next to the electric meter with loose electrical wiring connecting the fuse box to all the electrical equipment including the heavy duty lathe machines. The workshop floor was covered with metal filings and scrap metal. Welding gas cylinders were left unsupervised outside the workshop on the ground.
A site inspection by Team Herald revealed that there were no signboards displaying Goa State Pollution Control Board’s consent to operate, mandatory permissions from Factories and Boilers, Small Scale industries Department or any other authority which issue permits for such workshops. There was no fire safety equipment installed. Herald’s inquiry with GSPCB Officials revealed ignorance but they stated that they will conduct an inquiry.
“The construction of the structures is illegal and now even the GCZMA has acknowledged it,” says Pasannha.
“The construction work hasn’t stopped. It is shocking that they have started the workshop operations in the new structure without NOC from the panchayat or any other department. All the metal and wood dust from the workshop will wash away into the river and contaminate River Sal,” Pasannha said,
CVF is readying to move the NGT if this illegality is not stopped at the soonest.
Meanwhile, the dockyard owner D’Silva admitted that he had taken permissions but not for the structure that he constructed. GCZMA has noted that too in its Report.
