Residents in Honda vehemently opposed to expansion plans of a sponge iron factory at the Pissurlem Industrial Estate, on grounds that it would have an adverse impact on agriculture, environment and health in the area.
Raising their objection to the expansion plans at a special Gram Sabha on Thursday, the residents alleged that the existing project is already causing a lot of pollution.
Permission for the sponge iron factory to expand operations had been sought from the Goa State Pollution Control Board. A public hearing was earlier convened at the Pissurlem Panchayat hall on Sunday, where people had objected to expansion activities of the company amid concerns it would pollute agriculture, water bodies and the general health of people in the area.
Sarpanch Shivdas Madkar explained the purpose of the special Gram Sabha and pointed out to the pollution caused by the company. He claimed that expansion of the project should not be allowed under any circumstances.
Madkar objected to the proposed report which stated that there are no heritage sites in the surrounding area and there will be no harm to the environment.
Insisting that the report is wrong, Madkar demand an inquiry into the matter.
