Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The High Court has ordered a temporary stoppage of operations at an asphalt hot mix plant in Petkem, Dharbandora, after entertaining a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) questioning the legality of its establishment. Notices have been issued to the State government and several other authorities and parties connected with the project.
The petition raises concerns over the plant’s location close to residential homes and public institutions, alleging that its operations are affecting the environment and putting the health of nearby residents at risk.
According to the PIL, the facility, which has a production capacity of 120 tonnes per hour, is situated barely 25 to 30 metres from homes in Petkem hamlet, where members of the Dhangar community reside.
The petitioners have argued that the plant does not satisfy the distance requirements prescribed under the Environment (Protection) Rules. They claim that the facility is within the stipulated 500-metre limit from residential areas, schools and religious institutions, as well as the 200-metre limit from National and State Highways.
The plea identifies Dayanand Nagar High School and Goa Multi-Faculty College as being around 300 metres from the site. A primary school and Dattatraya Temple are reportedly within 400 metres, while National Highway 17 is also alleged to be less than 200 metres away.
Residents have reportedly complained of breathing difficulties, asthma and other respiratory problems, which they attribute to emissions from the plant. The petition also highlights allegations of dust, fly ash, black smoke and strong chemical odours affecting nearby homes, plantations and a local open well used for drinking water.
Another major objection concerns the land classification. The plant is spread across Survey Nos. 204, 205 and 206/1, which the petitioners claim are not designated for industrial activity under the Regional Plan 2021. Survey No. 205 has also been identified in the plea as unclassed forest land falling within the Eco-I Protected/Reserve Forest category.
The petitioners have further questioned the approvals granted for the project, alleging that it was established without the necessary TCP technical clearance, construction licence and factory permissions under the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994. The provisional NOC issued by the village panchayat on November 14, 2023, has also been challenged.
The respondents, including the Goa government, Goa State Pollution Control Board, TCP Department, Forest Department, Dharbandora Village Panchayat and the project proponents, have been asked to file their replies.
The High Court has restrained the plant from operating until further orders and scheduled the next hearing for November 30.
