Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (GSEIAA) has deferred consideration of complaints related to the proposed Karapur-Sarvan housing project in Bicholim, stating that issues connected to the project are currently pending before the High Court of Bombay at Goa.
According to minutes of a recent GSEIAA meeting, the authority received several representations and complaints concerning area development and building construction activities in Survey Nos. 148/0 and 176/1 of Carapur village in Bicholim taluka.
After examining the matter, the authority noted that proceedings related to the project are already before the High Court. In order to maintain judicial discipline and consistency in adjudication, GSEIAA decided that further consideration of complaints linked to issues under the court’s scrutiny would remain deferred at this stage, invoking the principle of sub judice.
However, the authority has not closed the matter entirely. It has sought clarifications from the project proponent on several aspects, including the total built-up area of the proposed developments, the proximity of the projects, and other issues raised by complainants.
The information has been sought to enable the authority to determine whether the development activities attract provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, and consequently require Environmental Clearance under existing environmental regulations.
The decision comes amid continued public concerns and legal scrutiny surrounding the proposed housing project, with the authority indicating that further action will depend on both the outcome of the court proceedings and the additional information sought from the developer.
