Shadow of Naqueri blast returns as NOC revival bid triggers protests

Local residents of Naqueri along with Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa opposing any move to store the propellant at the site. Officials drafted for inspection at the site on Friday.

MARGAO
The shadow of last year’s explosion and fire at the propellant storage site in Naqueri continues to loom large, rekindling fears among residents and sparking fresh tensions between locals and authorities.

A little over a year after a magazine storing propellant exploded and caught fire on March 20 last year, officials from multiple government agencies carried out a joint inspection of the site. The move follows an application by the Managing Director of M/s Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd to the South Goa District Collector, seeking reinstatement of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) dated November 12, 2024, for Propellant Magazine No. 2.

The inspection team comprised representatives from the Deputy Collector’s office, the Quepem Mamlatdar, Fire and Emergency Services, Forest, Cuncolim Police, the Public Works Department, Buildings Department, and the Town and Country Planning Department. Conducted under the supervision of the Deputy Collector of Quepem, the exercise was aimed at assessing the site in connection with the proposed storage of propellant.

However, news of the inspection quickly spread among the local population, triggering strong opposition. Residents of Naqueri and Betul, joined by Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa and local panchayat members, gathered near the site to voice their protest. The message was unequivocal: the community will not permit the storage of propellant at Naqueri under any circumstances.

Speaking to the media, the MLA criticised the authorities for what he described as a misplaced priority. Instead of prosecuting the company for allegedly storing propellant illegally in the past, he said, officials were now facilitating a process that could lead to reinstating the NOC. He further pointed out that the panchayat had objected to the construction of the magazine from the outset, claiming it was built without the knowledge or consent of the local body.

Altone also expressed concern over what he termed a “backdoor entry” attempt through the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board. He warned that residents would not remain passive if any permission is granted to revive the facility. “We are totally opposed to any move to bring back the magazine or reconstruct the unit. If necessary, we will seek legal recourse and approach the High Court for justice,” he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Betul Deputy Sarpanch Damas D’Silva accused the government of trying to push the project despite the serious incident that occurred last year. He alleged that the authorities were attempting to override local opposition and reintroduce the project through alternative channels.

“The panchayat is firmly against allowing this unit to operate again. The company is trying to return through the Goa IPB, but we will resist any such move. If required, we will approach the courts to ensure justice is served,” D’Silva stated.

The situation has once again brought to the forefront the ongoing conflict between development initiatives and public safety concerns. With residents determined to oppose the project and authorities proceeding with procedural steps, the issue appears headed for a legal and political showdown in the days ahead.