PANAJI
The Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (Goa–SEIAA) has granted environmental clearance (EC) to the controversial commercial project by the M/s Worldwide Resorts and Entertainment Private Limited, at Bambolim.
The project was stalled by way of stop-work order by various authorities for undertaking construction without prior EC.
The SEIAA during its meeting held on October 10, decided to grant EC for the project based on the recommendation of the Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).
While granting EC, SEIAA has directed the project proponent to obtain all the necessary permissions from the relevant agencies including Town and Country Planning Department before the commencement of the work and that the construction work should be in accordance with the local building bylaws.
The SEAC had in June directed the project proponent to undertake backfilling work, after Goa Engineering College (GCE) in their inspection report raised concern with regards to the safety of the existing public road on eastern side and the structures on the northern side.
GCE in its report said that the construction of an appropriate permanent retaining structure needs to be completed on priority along with backfilling between the new retaining structure and the existing shoring piles.
Goa-SEAC had last year recommended conversion of the controversial project at Bambolim from residential to commercial. This was despite officials finding during inspections that there appeared to be a rupture of the aquifers and substantial hill-cutting.
Following public protest by St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, the SEIAA and TCP had issued a stop-work order to the project for undertaking work without prior EC.
Borkar had protested at the site, alleging a number of illegalities. Several activists have also filed complaints with various authorities like the WRD, alleging that the digging was carried out too deep into the ground, damaging aquifers.
