Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for failing to provide critical information in the ongoing legal proceedings related to the Borim bridge project in Goa.
In its order dated April 23, 2025, the NGT expressed clear displeasure over the Ministry’s repeated delays.
The MoEFCC had been asked to clarify whether the bridge project—if it exceeds 150,000 square metres—falls under Category 8(b) of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, which would necessitate environmental clearance.
Rather than submitting the required affidavit, the Ministry sought an adjournment, citing a pending case before the Supreme Court.
However, the tribunal found this justification inadequate, pointing out that the MoEFCC neither shared details of the Supreme Court matter nor explained how it could impact the current NGT case.
Additionally, the tribunal noted that the Public Works Department (PWD) of Goa continues to withhold key information regarding the project.
The Executive Engineer of Works Division XV (NH), PWD, has been given one week to provide a written explanation and a concrete timeline for submitting the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR), which is still under revision. The NGT called the absence of a timeline “objectionable.”
The fine of Rs 5,000 is to be deposited with the NGT Bar Association, Western Zone Bench, Pune, within eight days. The tribunal has given the MoEFCC a final one-week window to file the necessary affidavit.
It also warned that if the Ministry fails to comply, the tribunal may proceed to decide on the interim stay request filed by affected farmers without considering the Ministry’s response.
Local farmers from Loutolim, who have raised concerns about the environmental impact of the bridge, welcomed the NGT’s firm stance. They accused government agencies of deliberately delaying the process to bypass legal scrutiny.
The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for June 5, 2025.
