Panjim: The opponents of Mopa Greenfield International airport, on Tuesday accused the BJP-led government of conducting an illegal environment impact assessment (EIA) study and public hearing on the airport project. Demanding a fresh EIA, the opponents said the EIA was conducted after the expiry of the Terms of Reference (ToR) period issued by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF).
The group christened ‘Federation of Rainbow Warriors’ (FRW) alleged that the ToR, which was granted in 2011 and extended in 2013, expired on May 31, 2014, while the EIA study by Engineers India Limited was completed months later, in October 2014, and the public hearing on the EIA was held eight months later on February 1, 2015.
The two components of FRW – Mopa Pidit Xetkari Samiti from the North and Goans for Dabolim Only, from the South – have come on a common platform to expose this illegality and demand a fresh EIA study and public hearing on the ambitious Rs 3,000 crore project.
The anti-Mopa crusaders have also demanded the suspension of North Goa collector, Director of Airport, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) Member Secretary and Chairman and the initiation of disciplinary action against all these.
A memorandum in this regard was submitted to the Chief Secretary Tuesday morning.
However, sources indicate that the State government has made a fresh application before MoEF for extension of validity of ToR for development of the airport.
04/03/15 Helrald
The group christened ‘Federation of Rainbow Warriors’ (FRW) alleged that the ToR, which was granted in 2011 and extended in 2013, expired on May 31, 2014, while the EIA study by Engineers India Limited was completed months later, in October 2014, and the public hearing on the EIA was held eight months later on February 1, 2015.
The two components of FRW – Mopa Pidit Xetkari Samiti from the North and Goans for Dabolim Only, from the South – have come on a common platform to expose this illegality and demand a fresh EIA study and public hearing on the ambitious Rs 3,000 crore project.
The anti-Mopa crusaders have also demanded the suspension of North Goa collector, Director of Airport, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) Member Secretary and Chairman and the initiation of disciplinary action against all these.
A memorandum in this regard was submitted to the Chief Secretary Tuesday morning.
However, sources indicate that the State government has made a fresh application before MoEF for extension of validity of ToR for development of the airport.
04/03/15 Helrald
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