BJP continuing with Chapora project despite NGT ban: activist
Goa Forward also lends support
THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Goa Forward on Monday objected to the ruling government’s promotion of work on the Chapora riverfront despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order putting a permanent ban on the work.
Speaking to media persons, activist and local Vinod Palekar who had filed the NGT case in the beginning of 2016, said the BJP had in its recent Vijay Sankalp rally in Siolim promoted the river front project in their presentation.
“They continue to show the project in their list despite the NGT finally issuing a permanent stay on the project. We demand that MLA Dayanand Mandrekar apologise to the people of the constituency for promoting the project despite our objections,” he said.
Lending support to their cause, Goa Forward spokesperson Durgadas Kamat said the NGT had issued the order based on the fact that there were no EIA clearances and that the GCZMA had also been bypassed.
“When the project was submitted, it was said only five pillars would be erected but the plan was for 36. The importance of the land was also not given attention as it forms the link between the river and the field. Despite this stay, the Vijay Sankalp rally continued to show the plans. This stay was a victory for the entire village but it has been shown that the BJP plans to give it the boot,” said Kamat.
Palekar also said he would continue in opposing the project and would approach the Lokayutka for further help in stopping the project. He also said RTI had revealed other illegalities in the constituency and these too would be sent to the Lokayutka as well.
