MARGAO
The National Green Tribunal has reserved the order in the petition filed by the Loutolim farmers for a stay on the land acquisition proceedings regarding the new high-level Borim bridge.
When the matter came up for hearing before the NGT, the counsel for the Goa government sought time to file a reply to the petition filed by the farmers. The NGT also did not grant the prayer of the farmers to stay the land acquisition proceedings.
After hearing the two sides, the matter was adjourned for hearing on January 7, 2025. The PWD is expected to file its reply to the petition filed by the farmers.
The petitioners had approached the NGT with a prayer to direct the Chief Secretary, Government of Goa, Executive Engineer, Works Division XV (NH), Public Works Department, Chief Engineer (NH, R&B), Public Works Department and Ministry of Road Transport & Highways to reconsider or redesign and select an alternative for the proposed construction of the high-level new Borim Bridge on NH-17B (NH-566) in Goa on the grounds that the present design/alignment of the project fails to identify and consider the presence of CRZ areas, forest areas and environmental preservation, as well as the impact on these eco-sensitive areas and the people dependent on these areas.
They had further prayed for directions to these authorities not to proceed with the project without first obtaining prior Environmental Clearance under the EIA Notification, 2006.
The petitioners had contended before the NGT that the Zuari River is the largest river in Goa, passing through the talukas of Tiswadi, Ponda, Mormugao, Salcete, Sanguem and Quepem, which is a tidal river affected by the tides of the Arabian Sea.
"Extensive areas of saline wetlands of the river Zuari were reclaimed about 4,000 years ago by the indigenous communities of the villages. They made bandhs of clay and other natural materials, large expanses of fertile agricultural lands, an intricate system of fish-breeding water bodies and tidally operated sluice gates linking them to the river, which are collectively known as khazan lands."
