Directs project proponent to undertake backfilling work over safety concerns
PANAJI
The Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (Goa-SEAC) has deferred its decision on grant of Environmental Clearance (EC) to the controversial commercial project by the M/s Worldwide Resorts and Entertainment Private Limited, at Bambolim, which was issued stop-work order for undertaking construction without prior EC, last month.
Goa-SEAC during its meeting held on June 16 has directed the project proponent to undertake backfilling work, after Goa Engineering College (GCE) in their inspection report raised concern with regards to the safety of the existing public road on eastern side and the structures on the northern side.
GCE in its report said that the construction of an appropriate permanent retaining structure needs to be completed on priority along with backfilling between the new retaining structure and the existing shoring piles.
GCE said that in case concreting works cannot be initiated due to any unforeseen reason , it is recommended to partially shore back the shoring piles from the excavation area with the soil thereby reducing the effective shoring height and relieving the stresses on the shoring piles which will ensure temporary stability in the visibly ‘just- stable’ zones.
“SEAC took into consideration the safety of the existing Public Road on the Eastern side and the structures on the northern side recommended for backfilling as given as an alternative by GCE along the existing public road. The backfilling work should be carried out in supervision of GCE,” the minutes of the meeting stated.
“The PP has responded to other aspects referred by SEIAA- State Environment Impact Assessment Authority to SEAC which are being examined by the SEAC,” it said further.
Goa-SEAC had last year recommended conversion of the controversial project at Bambolim from residential to commercial. This was despite officials finding during inspections that there appeared to be a rupture of the aquifers and substantial hill-cutting.
Following public protest by St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, the SEIAA had issued a stop-work order to the project for undertaking work without prior EC and that the application for EC is pending. Following this, TCP had also issued a similar order.
Borkar had protested at the site, alleging a number of illegalities. Several activists have also filed complaints with various authorities like the WRD, alleging that the digging was carried out too deep into the ground, damaging aquifers.
