the goan I network
PANAJI
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar where senior officials including that of the mines and the public works departments were also present.
Speaking to the media, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that if all else failed and if the villagers still were worried about pollution, he would shut the mines down.
“I would have no problem shutting all the mines in that area down. But later the villagers should not complain saying that they have been denied employment,” Parrikar said adding that as many as 108 trucks were being employed from within the village.
Following the meeting held on Tuesday and with effect from Wednesday, the State government has directed that the dusty shoulders of the roads be resurfaced immediately besides also immediate steps be taken to install geofencing around the residential areas.
Besides this the government has also recommended the installation of rumbler strips replacing the existing speed breakers and also have a wheel washing system.
Responding to the directions of the government, Vedanta said, “We are committed to the welfare of all the stakeholders and will abide by all the directions of the government. We continue to work towards creating a better socio-economic environment for the communities in the area.”
“This will be done till further measures for pollution mitigation are taken to reduce the pollution level,” the company said in a statement.
The company said from Wednesday it has already undertaken route diversion of the transportation of ore from mines bearing TC Nos.: 55/51, 110/53, 70/51, 5/54 , 6/55 & 16/55 bypassing the residential areas of Sonshi village which shall join the public road at the entry/exit gate of TC No. 16/55.
