Question NOC granted for expansion; submit memo to addl collector
MARGAO
Sao Jose de Areal villagers along with local MLA Cruz Silva on Friday called on South Goa Additional Collector, Srinet Kothwale to submit a memorandum objecting to the expansion of a distillery at the Nessai Industrial Estate.
The villagers pointed out that distillery, located just a stone’s throw away from the human habitation, had hit the news in the year 2021 when it was engulfed by a major fire, posing danger and health hazard to the local populace.
They have demanded to know how the authorities have granted the NOC for the expansion of the distillery when residents have been living with fear post-fire incident in 2021.
Velim MLA Cruz pointed out that the local residents are living in fear as the distillery has commenced the construction work at the site. “Since the fire incident had exposed the fire safety measures at the distillery, the local residents are opposed to the expansion plans,” Cruz said.
The MLA pointed out that the Additional Collector has given a patient hearing to the delegation comprising of Areal Sarpanch Linda Fernandes, Deputy Sarpanch Valente Fernandes and villagers, but has asked them to hand a copy of the representation to the Goa State Pollution Control Board. “We will now ask the authorities, including the GSPCB for a joint inspection to find out the status of the work and the departments, which has granted the permissions, if any, for the expansion work,” Cruz said.
He further pointed out that the villagers have also asked the Field Manager, Nessai IDC to provide the documents granting approvals for the expansion work. “We have no idea whether the work has commenced with permissions or without any nod from the government departments,” he added.
Areal Deputy Sarpanch Valente told the media that the panchayat has written to the concerned authorities after receiving complaints from the local residents of the distillery expansion works. “The local residents are a worried lot since the distillery is located very close to the human habitation,” he said.
Valente added: “The panchayat has not given any permission for the construction work. The industry is carrying out the expansion which is detrimental to the health of the locals. The locals also face hardships since these industrial units use the village roads. The panchayat has not been paid the dues.”
