the goan I network
VASCO
TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai said the issue of the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA), which has been without a chairman for the last 10 months, is likely to be taken up in Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
Sardesai was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his visit to a hill cutting site at Consua in Cortalim constituency on Tuesday evening.
"In the present government, major decisions are in the domain of the chief minister and I understand there are several issues in granting permission in MPDA. The government had not granted powers to another body, wherein Chief Secretary could officiate in the absence of MPDA head and major developments have come to a halt. I will raise this issue in cabinet meeting on Wednesday," said Sardesai.
Sardesai visited Consua after Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha had apprised him of existence of a hotmix plant, which was operating without licences and after villagers complained of pollution at Consua.
Sardesai said the contractor constructing western bypass had done excavation, but not in a scientific approved manner. "Now, I am informed there is a Konkan Railway tunnel below this site and it can cause an impact as it is not done properly and the would not be allowed."
"Benching, terracing contouring and restoration of land after excavation has to be done. Though western bypass is important, it can't be at the cost of destroying environment. We have to balance between the both. We will further check the site with a geologist so that law of land is followed and no special treatment is given to anyone," he said.
"The land belongs to the comunidade and someone has given permission and it can't be done overnight. I will call the contractor on Thursday and discuss the matter in the presence of Saldanha. If he wants to continue the work, then he has to ensure that villagers are benefited. I will also check into the hotmix plant here," added Sardesai.
Later, Sardesai conducted inspection of the drainage of Airways Colony near MES College as promised after residents had approached him along with Saldanha at the collectorate building a few days back.
