NGT stays relocation of
14 families from Mopa
THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The National Green Tribunal has ordered that none of the fourteen families to be displaced by the upcoming Mopa airport be shifted out until the next hearing even as it expressed displeasure with the Goa government for delaying the hearings.
While hearing a petition filed by the Federation of Rainbow Warriors who had challenged the grant of environmental clearance to the proposed international airport, the tribunal ruled that the proponents will have to maintain the status quo.
“We direct the project proponent to maintain status-quo and not to shift fourteen occupants to respective places until next date of hearing,” the tribunal said in its order passed recently.
The tribunal had earlier restrained itself from passing any interim orders hoping for an expeditious hearing, however, with the case still pending and at the same time the government going ahead full steam with the project, the court expressed its anguish.
“We had granted sufficient time to all respondents, restrained ourselves from passing interim orders with the hope that the appeals will be heard expeditiously and will be disposed of. However, the final hearing of the appeals is still pending and it appears that there is sufficient activity in furtherance of the project…,” the tribunal said.
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The petitioners had pointed out that that the project is likely to take off and fourteen houses as identified coming within the area of project are likely to be displaced by way of rehabilitation. They maintained that no firm rehabilitation proposal was in place and the occupants are being pressured politically to accept whatever is being offered.
The petitioners also sought that the occupants of the houses be protected till the appeal against the environmental clearance is heard and pleaded before the tribunal to restrain the relocation of of the fourteen structures till decision on these appeals.
On the other hand, the learned counsel for project proponent submitted that the in compliance to the prevailing legal framework, occupants of these fourteen houses will be rehabilitated giving them the alternative accommodation and compensation to their satisfaction.
He submitted that the project proponent has formulated such a scheme which is under consideration of government and if approved and also agreed by such occupants, the project proponent can go ahead with such rehabilitation.
