Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has requested that the State government come up with a legal solution for the transportation of iron ore in Pilgao, Bicholim. The court also said unequivocally that the terms of the Environmental Clearance (EC) cannot be broken.
The Truck Owners’ Association of Sesa Mining, on the other hand, argued that the government had granted them the main road for transportation and interpreted the directive that iron ore movement would resume from it.
Subhash Kinalkar, head of the Truck Owners’ Association of Sesa Mining, stated that transportation will continue while the government finds a suitable solution following the court’s decision to dismiss both writ petitions.
“We began ore transportation on December 13 after the Directorate of Mines and Geology permitted us to use the main road, following a 22-day halt by the farmers,” Kinalkar stated.
He claimed that Devidas Pangam, the Advocate General, assured the court that the government will take the necessary safety measures and resolve the transit problem.
“The Directorate of Mines and Geology has given us a route, and transportation will not stop,” Kinalkar stated.
The Advocate General informed the Court that the road specified in the EC conditions is being discussed and would soon be permitted. The government has the last say,” Kinalkar stated.
However, Pilgao farmers’ attorney, Adv. Ajay Prabhugaonkar, stated that the High Court has requested that the government resolve the transportation problem.
“The State government bears the responsibility of offering a remedy. We will seek clarification from the High Court and wait for the government’s decision,” he stated.
