VASCO
The NGO ‘Goa First’ on Tuesday objected to ongoing construction of a jetty at Baina beach and sought to expose the double standards adopted by authorities for construction activity.
Goa First Convenor Parshuram Sonurlekar submitted a complaint to the chief officer of Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC), Mormugao dy collector and the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority seeking action on the construction activity.
Sonurlekar told reporters that around 20% of the works on the jetty have been completed.
"While construction activity has been in progress, there is no signboard displaying any of the relevant permissions from different authorities for the works.”
“Those involved in the construction do not seem to have taken any precautionary measures while carrying out work on a public property like a beach and many gas cutters, electrical wires and LPG cylinders are being used at the site. These can endanger the elderly and children visiting the beach," said Sonurlekar.
He said authorities must check for permissions and also seek environmental assessment study and feasibility reports for the project.
“A similar jetty was built in 2018 and it got washed away leaving the basement rods below the sea posing grave danger to visitors at the beach," said Sonurlekar.
"We strongly object to such destructive construction activity on beaches which we feel may not even have necessary approvals from relevant authorities and local bodies like MMC.”
Sonurlekar also sought to expose the double standards adopted by authorities.
“Two shacks being erected at Baina beach were denied permissions by the tourism department on grounds that gas and oil pipelines are lying under the beach and shack owners did not get the NOC from an oil tanking company.”
“So, how can authorities now allow a construction activity with gas cutters and gas cylinders on site? The law should be equal for all and if shacks cannot be allowed, there should be no permission to other construction activities at Baina beach.”
“We want authorities to intervene and stop the work in quick time and also check for necessary approvals and permissions for the project," said Sonurlekar.
