EAC defers ZIL's expansion plans at Sancoale
THE GOAN NETWORK
CORTALIM
In a setback to the expansion plans of Zuari Agro Chemicals unit at Sancoale, the Expert Appraisal Committee (Industry-II) of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Control deferred its decision on the company’s proposal and impliedly upheld the objections raised by environmental activists at the public hearing.
The company had proposed expansion of fertilizer blending unit for NPK production, gas turbine (GT), Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) and Atmospheric Ammonia storage tank at its Zuari Nagar plant.
The EAC directed the project proponent to re-submit the proposal along with GCZMA approval for the expansion, earmark green belt covering 33 percent of total project area, reduce fresh water requirement, STP for labour colony and prohibition on drawing ground water, submission of year-wise CSR plans @ 2.5 percent for next five years, stop discharge of waste water into the sea through underground pipeline and rework on drift losses from cooling tower and reduction to 20 percent.
At the environmental public hearing in July last year that was marked by protests, local environment activist Sávio Correia had pointed that the project area fell within CRZ zone and no development was permissible and that EIA report had failed to incorporate adequate living conditions for construction labourers among other issues, while ex-MLA Simon D’Souza had criticized the CSR activities of the company in Sancoale village.
Terence Jorge raised the issue of utilization of 2.5 lakh litres of fresh water per day during operational phase of the proposed project and the company’s dismal record in adherence to environmental norms. RG Furtado had exposed the issue of pipeline discharging waste into the sea.
Several local citizens including Sávio Correia, Narayan Naik, Edward Fernandes and Manoj Naik protested against inadequate notice given to the public and demanded postponement of the hearing claiming that except for 10 persons, all the others present at the public hearing were Zuari employees.
When contacted, Sávio Correia expressed satisfaction with the EAC’s decision and stated that activists were keeping a close watch on developments. He claimed that ZACL misrepresented to the public that they had GCZMA approval for the project at the hearing.
