the goan I network
PANAJI
Following continuous objections to the scheduled public hearing of the Nauxim marina project on November 2 by hundreds of residents of the area as well as the local legislators, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday reportedly indicated that the date of the public hearing is likely to be re-scheduled. A decision on the same is likely to be conveyed by the CM on October 23 after consultation with the Pollution Control Board and district collectors.
In addition to numerous locals and environmentalists who met the CM at his official residence at Altinho on Tuesday evening, three MLAs -- St Cruz BJP MLA Tony Fernandes, Cortalim BJP MLA Alina Saldanha, and Curtorim Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco urged the CM to postpone the public hearing. The two district collectors, and officials from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) were also present.
Following the meeting, Saldanha told the media that everyone at the meeting had impressed upon the CM that they had to wait for the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) to be drafted in every village before any public hearing could be held.
“Let’s see what every village has to say about the environment of their village. Neither the State, nor any other authority can violate the CZMP. The CZMP is a document of law which tells us which areas are to be protected and in which areas you can do certain things. The CM has agreed to discuss this with the GSPCB and the Collector and said he will come back to us,” said Saldanha. “Let them study the pros and cons of a project like the marina in an eco-sensitive area like the Sancoale-Chicalim bay or Nauxim-Cacra area,” she added.
Saldanha also pointed out that some time ago, the Investment Promotion Board (IPB) had withdrawn the in-principle permission for the marina, because the Act does not allow the Board to give such in-principle permissions. “I’m surprised that this project has been raised again, but have faith that the CM will do what is right,” she concluded.
Prof Ramrao Wagh meanwhile said that at first, the officials had said they could not postpone the public hearing based on technical grounds. “But we insisted and requested that the public hearing be cancelled. We neither want
