PANAJI
Agitators against the proposed 'Ahoy Marina' project of Mumbai-based Construction Company Kargwal Constructions Ltd, are fearing a clandestine connivance between the promoters and the State government and are planning an onsite stir on November 8.
'Goenkar Against Marina Project' the collective of fishermen from the hamlets of Nauxim, Cacra, Odxel and Siridao, which is spearheading the agitation against the project has said they will hold a protest 'public meeting' near the panchayat at Siridao.
The controversial project envisages development of one-lakh square meters of 'water area' on the northern bank of the Zuari, including reclaiming the river threatening to displace 100s of traditional fishing families.
The company has signed a deal with Mormugao Port Trust with a 30 year-lease on the area.
Suresh Palkar a lawyer and leader of 'Goenkar Against Marina Project' has legally challenged the lease deal. He has also questioned the ownership title of 50,000 square meters of onshore land in the Nauxim area which the project proponents are proposing to develop.
Palkar told The Goan that the Company has now moved the Courts seeking a direction to the government to proceed with the process of granting the permissions to commence work.
He said, they are suspecting some possible clandestine connivance between the company and the government.
Earlier last year, the agitation against the project had forced Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to put the process on hold and cancel a 'public hearing' under the EIA Act scheduled by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB)
The Sawant administration was forced to cancel the publuc hearing a second time after Palkar challenged it's scheduling during the pandemic and a bench of the Bombay High Court at Goa upheld his contention.
