Goemkarponn desk
VASCO: Sancoale Panchayat has issued a stop work notice to Marman shipyard after residents allege dredging activity pending inspection.
Sancoale Panchayat will conduct a site inspection of one shipping dock in Sancoale on Thursday for alleged dredging activity on the seabed.
Sancoale Sarpanch Girish Pillai said no permission from the Panchayat was obtained from the party to conduct such activity at the Sancoale seabed area.
Sancoale Panchayat has decided to take serious note of the complaint made by several residents regarding an alleged dredging activity happening in the Sancoale seabed area by a shipping dock.
The residents fear that such activity would damage and harm flora and fauna of the bay area.
When contacted Sancoale Sarpanch, he said that he is a Biodiversity committee member of Sancoale village and was not informed about any such dredging activity in the Sancoale bay area.
He further said that the party obtained no permission from Panchayat, and the Panchayat has received complaints from the residents about some dredging activity. Pillai said that we have issued a stop-work notice to the shipping dock, and the Panchayat will conduct a site inspection on Thursday to review the situation there. He added that any activities opposed by the villagers would not be allowed.
It may be recalled that a week ago, some youths and the greens did plantation of Mangroves in the Sancoale bay area. But a few days ago, when they learnt about some dredging activity happening at the Sancoale seabed, they protested against it and complained to the local Panchayat.
Two days ago, Cortalim MLA Antonio Vas, along with the locals, conducted a site inspection in the presence of the shipyard manager and asked for the relevant permissions from the manager. Vas also pointed out that the shipyard manager should obtain permission from the Panchayat and other govt departments, and only then he could start the work.