PANAJI
The Goa State Pollution Control Board in its meeting held on Thursday has asked the marina project proponents to conduct an additional study of the project area with help from the Ecology Department of the Annamalai University as well as the Environmental Engineering department of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science.
Speaking to media after the Board meeting, Chairman José Manuel Noronha said the decision was taken after members of the Board sought more information on the marina project.
“The marina project was discussed and since members of the Board wanted more information we have asked the proponents to do a study on the area where they want to set up with the help of the Department of Ecology of the Annamalai University and the Department of Environmental Engineering of the BITS Pilani at Verna,” Noronha told media persons adding that consent for the project continued to remain on hold.
“The proponent will conduct the study and the findings will be presented before the Board at its next meeting,” Noronha added.
Earlier the GSPCB had written to the Department of Environment of the Government of Goa seeking that they conduct a carrying capacity study of the rivers in Goa and until that study was completed the permissions for the projects would have to be kept on hold.
However, the department of environment has written back to the Goa State Pollution Control Board that it cannot do a study on the carrying capacity of the rivers unless specifics were provided, which prompted the Board to ask the project proponent to conduct these studies in addition to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study they have conducted and the Environment Management Plan that has already been submitted.
Only one marina has so far applied for consent to operate from the Goa State Pollution Control Board whereas two have been given clearance by the Goa Investment Promotion Board.
In another decision, the GSPCB has decided to extend the time for small units to apply for consent to operate till December 31 this year. Earlier the deadline was till December 31, 2015 and those who apply after the last date would have to pay a late fee. However, that deadline has been extended.
The Board has also decided to disallow permissions for establishment of commercial enterprises like that of printing presses, glass cutting shops and paint manufacturing shops within residential areas “Many residential complexes have commercial sections like that of shops etc on the ground floor. Since establishment of noisy industries or those like that of paints which emanate a smell, we have decided to not allow these. We will be writing to the village panchayats and municipal councils not to grant permissions,” Noronha said.
