PANAJI
In a major push to professional education and tourism, the Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) of the Union Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has granted Environmental Clearance (ECs) to two crucial projects --MIT World Peace University, proposed at Tivim and PM Ekta Mall also known as Unity Mall set to come up at Chimbel village.
Based on the recommendations of the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), the SEIAA during its meeting held last week, granted EC to both the project.
“After scrutinizing the documents submitted by the project proponent, upon considering the recommendation from Goa-SEAC and upon hearing the project proponent, the Authority decided to grant Environmental Clearance (EC),” the minutes of the meeting stated.
The project proponents are directed to obtain all necessary permissions from relevant agencies including Town and Country Planning, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Ground Water Authority, before commencement of the works, which has to be as per building laws.
On obtaining completion certification from planning development authority or town and country planning department, the project proponent has to obtain certificate of compliance from Goa SEAC or SEIAA before obtaining occupancy certificate.
“The project proponent shall submit six-monthly reports on the status of the compliance of the stipulated environmental conditions on the website of the MoEF&CC at environment clearance portal,” it said.
MIT World Peace Pvt University, project by Maharashtra Academy of Engineering and Educational Research, has acquired 2 lakh sq meters, which belongs to comunidade in Thivim, however, the construction is restricted to 1.30-1.40 lakh sq mts land. The university will offer courses in engineering, marine engineering, medical sciences, management studies, arts, journalism, and public policy, among others.
The High Court of Bombay at Goa is currently hearing a public interest litigation filed by eight gauncars of the comunidade challenging transfer of comunidade land to the Institute. The Court has already served notices to the State government and comunidade.
On the other hand, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has proposed to build Rs 132 crore Unity Mall on 12,000 sq mts at Chimbel under Central government’s scheme to promote One District One Product (ODOP) items. The Union Ministry for Commerce and Industries has in-principle agreed to allocate Rs 100 crore for the project.
The project will have outdoor exhibition areas, a children’s play area and an amphitheatre aside from conference rooms. Government intends to put on sale every state’s product at the Unity Mall. The proposal initially planned in Merces, was later shifted to Chimbel village.
As per the proposal, Unity Mall will have 36 stalls, each being allotted to different states and Union territories so that rural artisans can sell local handicrafts, traditional food items and cultural wares.
Retail facilities such as food court, public conveniences, galleries and recreational spaces will come up in the four storey structure. It will also include underground parking facilities. The project will also have event spaces for galleries and exhibitions.
