Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Senior Congress leader and former Panaji Mayor Surendra Furtado has raised objections to the proposed L-shaped jetty on the Mandovi River, alleging that the State government is attempting to secure environmental approval without conducting a detailed assessment of its impact.
Addressing a press conference, Furtado said the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has forwarded the proposal to the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) based on a Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). He argued that a study completed within three months is inadequate for a project on a river as ecologically significant as the Mandovi.
According to Furtado, a comprehensive EIA spanning all seasons is necessary to properly evaluate the project’s environmental consequences. He questioned the need for urgency and urged the SEIAA to withhold approval until a detailed assessment is carried out.
The Congress leader also sought an explanation for the proposed 25-metre and 15-metre reinforced concrete jetty planned opposite the Old Secretariat. Stating that the site lies within the city’s casino zone, he asked whether the infrastructure is intended for public use or to facilitate private vessels and casino-related activities. He maintained that traffic projections and expected passenger data should be made public before the project proceeds.
Furtado further disputed the finding that no mangroves exist at the proposed site. He claimed seasonal mangrove growth appears along the Mandovi’s banks after the monsoon and suggested that the survey may not reflect the actual environmental conditions. He said his team plans to conduct an independent photographic survey of the area.
Calling for greater transparency, Furtado demanded that the proposal be subjected to a public hearing in Panaji, examined by the Heritage Committee because of its proximity to the Old Secretariat precinct, and discussed with traditional fishing communities to ensure their access and livelihoods are protected before any final decision is taken.
