Having followed the mega project in Sancoale, I noticed several concerns in the way the real estate company pursued approvals, as well as how many Sancoale panchas and the Mormugao Planning Authority granted permissions.
The speed with which the hill-slope measurements were conducted after being questioned by the court”and the subsequent report favouring the builder”was striking. This is the same department that often moves slowly, or not at all, when Goans raise complaints about illegalities or alleged large-scale land violations.
With top lawyers in tow, it seemed as though the government machinery was aligned to move the project forward. Large projects of this scale could set a worrying precedent for Goa’s environment.
Sancoale already suffers from poor air quality due to coal pollution, and rapid real estate expansion may worsen air, land, and water conditions. I hope Goa can still prevent such environmentally harmful developments.
