PANAJI
In a major development, the construction of a stretch of the four-lane flyover from MES College junction to Bogmalo junction has been stalled till the Indian Navy grants permission.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Monday informed the High Court of Bombay at Goa that it has directed its contractor M/s M Venkata Rao Infra Projects to stop the work until the Indian Navy decides on its application seeking a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
A Division Bench comprising Justice M S Karnik and Justice Nivedita Mehta directed the Indian Navy to decide on the NOC within two weeks.
The construction was challenged through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed last month by Commander Atul Pant and the Forum Against Corruption, Illegality and Destruction; arguing that the work was being undertaken without requisite permissions and posed a significant security threat.
They further alleged the construction, particularly the installation of massive pillars, could hinder flight operations and compromise security, given the frequent military and civilian flights at the Dabolim International Airport.
During a hearing on February 18, the Indian Navy informed the high court that the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority had never been granted an NOC for the project. It also stated that it had earlier written to the authority, urging it to halt the NHAI’s work.
Subsequently, on February 19, NHAI issued a letter instructing the contractor to cease work within the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) and Funnel Zone. “…Instructions have been issued to the contractor M/s M Venkata Rao Infra Projects to stop the work from Chg. Km. 7890 to Chg. Km. 8+550 (Funnel Zone Area)…” reads the communiqué by GM (T) and Project Director (NHAI/PIU-Goa) C O P Furtado.
The letter, submitted in Court on Monday, was recorded in the proceedings. NHAI also stated that it had applied for the NOC in December 2024, but the request remains pending.
The Division Bench reiterated its directive asking the Indian Navy to decide on the application within two weeks.
"This also poses as a national security threat as if the OLS is infringed the airport could result in being non-operative as the OLS are laid down by ICAO and adopted by India being signatory to it," Advocate Richard Almeida, appearing for the petitioner, stated during the previous hearing.
