Facebook Twitter Instagram WhatsApp
    Trending
    • Nothing for Goa; Goans treated like 3rd class citizens: Former Cong Chief
    • First Amrit Kaal Budget is for Public Welfare, pro-Poor, says Goa BJP Chief
    • Nothing for Goa in the Union Budget 2023: Goa Forward
    • Goa Police Signs MoU With GEC to enhance R&D, Cyber Security
    • Major Tragedy Averted at Goa Lokotsav as Food Stall Catches Fire
    • Massive fire reported at Taleigao fields; reason of fire unknown
    • Bombay HC at Goa orders GHB to hand over land possession to bidders
    • Theft at Court: North Goa SP says accused well-versed with functioning of the Court
    Login
    Thursday, February 2
    Goemkarponn – Goa NewsGoemkarponn – Goa News
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    ePaper
    • Home
    • Goa News
    • Business
    • Political News
    • Local News
    • Goemkar Special
    • More
      • Top News
      • Sports
      • Page 3
      • Crime
      • Snippets
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Health
      • Off Beat
    • Video News
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    Goemkarponn – Goa NewsGoemkarponn – Goa News
    Home»Goa News

    The LINK of destruction & controversies

    adminBy adminNovember 2, 2021 Goa News No Comments7 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Goemkarponn desk
    MARGAO: Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari dedicated the Nation 4 lane section from Loutolim Village to Verna Industrial Estate on National Highway 566 at a public function held at Verna on Monday.
    This road is also known as a missing link as it connects North and South Districts from Ponda and Borim to Verna and Vasco.
    The 3.84 km stretch of road is the missing link road constructed at the estimated cost of Rs. 184.05 crores. The total project length is 7.32 km and starts from Loutolim to Titan Gate of Verna Industrial Corporation. The travel distance from Ponda to Mormugao is reduced by 12kms, thus reducing travel time by 30 minutes. Total project cost for the entire stretch from Loutolim to titan gate is Rs. 229.85 crores.

    A major relief for commuters?
    Due to this missing link, normal traffic and trucks coming to the industrial estate follow the long route from Loutolim, Rasaim, Cortalim and Verna. On a larger scale, the new road will connect Vasco to Ponda, via the Borim bridge. The new road will benefit all traffic coming from Ponda and Borim towards Vasco by almost 6km.
    The road tapered off into a dead-end on the cliff at the end of the Verna industrial estate until construction of the missing link was taken up.
    The missing link road ran through forested areas, and the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change had okayed the diversion of 51,800sqm of forest land to construct the road. This means that the forest lost in constructing the road will be compensated for by planting of trees in another area.
    Around 1.1km of the missing link passes through a forested area belonging to the government.

    Missed deadlines….
    It took seven long years to construct this link as the project was sanctioned by the expenditure finance committee (EFC) at an estimated cost of 172crore.
    This missing link falls in very steep terrain with a level difference between Verna and Loutolim of almost 85m for a distance of 200m.
    The link was to be completed in three years but was delayed due to public protests and forest clearances.

    Forest destruction…and controversy

    In March 2007, the government began the acquisition of land for teh project in Loutolim. The tranquil village of Loutolim falls between Verna and Ponda.
    Activists received a series of correspondence through RTIs, revealing nearly 83000 sq.m of land was acquired by the PWD Division XIV officials of the Government of Goa on 14th August 2008, under Section 16 of Special Land Acquisition Act 1894. The land was a mix of a private forest and khazan, lying between Verna Industrial estate and Angdi in Loutolim.
    The possession certificate mentioned that the land was being acquired for construction of a “missing link – a four lane highway” of the NH 17B in Loutolim village of Verna Industrial Estate.
    All forest land, whether government or privately owned, falls under the jurisdiction of the state’s forest department. All agencies require an NOC from the forest department before starting any work that requires felling of trees.
    On 16th October 2014, the Executive Engineer of PWD XIV sent a letter to the Deputy Conservator of Forests in south Goa, requesting permission to cut trees in the 5.18 ha region of Loutolim “standing on the alignment of the road, required to be cut before starting the work.”
    The Forest Department’s inspection files reveal that this area had over 1100 trees, out of which 23 were forest tree species and about 8 non-forest, including teak and mango trees.
    “The land was under prospective private forest land, belonging to the South Goa Forest Committee,” explained Anil Shetgaonkar, Deputy Conservator of Forests, South Goa.
    Activists representing local non-profit Rainbow Warriors sent a letter to the forest department requesting them to not allow permission for felling of trees as the area was an ecologically important forest with natural aquifers that recharged the ground water table, and several sightings of birds and animals like leopards in the region.
    In a letter dated 5th September 2015, addressed to the executive engineers of PWD Division 14, the Deputy Conservator stated that the area was forestry in nature, and suggested to submit a file for approval under Section 2 of Forest Conservation Act 1980.
    Section 2 of Forest Conservation Act 1980 allows an agency to use forest land for non-forest purposes, with the approval of the Central Government.
    In an internal letter dated 28th October 2016, the Dy. Conservator of Forests, south Goa division, told the Dy. Conservator of Forests, Monitoring and Evaluation that the forestry patch possesses environmental and socio economic value, and that the proposed road construction could lead to soil erosion, as the area was a slope, and would also cause habitat fragmentation, thus damaging the ecology of the region.
    In February 2017, the Central Ministry of Forests, Environment and Climate Change (MOEFCC) sent a letter to Goa’s secretary of Forests, approving Stage 1 of the clearance under Section 2 of Forest Conservation Act. The decision was based on the 17th meeting of the Regional Empowerment Committee of the MOEFCC on 25th January 2017 based in Bengaluru, Karnataka. According to the minutes of the meetings, it was decided that since the land was acquired by the PWD several years ago, they will go ahead with the project. The apprehensions of ecological damage “will be offset with suitable mitigation measures” some of which included, “building a wall to prevent soil erosion” and “fencing regions.”
    On 29th August 2017, the MOEFCC gave Goa state government the final permission to diversion 5.18 ha of forest land in Loutolim village to construct the “missing link.”
    REPLACING FOREST LAND WITH FOREST LAND?
    The same letter also stated that a “compensatory afforestation shall be raised over 5.18 ha of identified non-forest land in Sy. No 23/1 in Rumbrem village of Sangem Taluka at the cost of the user agency.”
    Compensatory afforestation happens when a forest land is diverted under Section 2 of Forest Conservation Act 1980. The agency using the land for non-forest purpose is supposed to, with the help of the state’s forest department, identify a non-forest land of equal measure and provide appropriate funds for its afforestation.
    However, the 5.2 ha land identified in Rumbrem village, sy 23/1, is already a regarded as a forested region, with thick vegetation, and fully formed canopies. On a field visit, activist and forest expert Abhijeet Prabhudesai identified over 25 types of indigenous trees and a number of fruit bearing trees.
    In a telephone conversation, Mr. Shetgaonkar said, “It could have thick vegetation, and afforestation is not compulsory. Once it comes under Forest Department we will conserve it.”
    Compensatory afforestation on forest land is a violation of guidelines under Forest Conservation Act 1980.
    The construction contract was assigned to a private contractor M/s M. Venkat Rao Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd (MVR) under Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) mode, tendered at Rs. 139 crores. The Design consultants of the project is Vasco based outfit Madhav Kamat & Associates.
    The work in Loutolim began on 19th September 2017.
    LACK OF TRANSPARENCY
    “It was only during the first week of October that we found out what was going on,” says Ramiro Mascerenhas. “There was no notice board or anything of that sort, and they told us they had started their work on 19th September.”
    Ramiro Mascerenhas and Mario Pereira, natives and residents of Loutolim, noticed big machines on the plateau region. They went up, saw them cutting the hill, demanded an explanation, and managed to stop the work for a few days. “Next thing we know, a board is up and the destruction has started again,” Ramiro says.
    By 4th October, a notice was up on the village’s Panchayat office, detailing the ongoing work of the “missing link.”

    Comment

    admin

    Keep Reading

    “Mai” Mhadei Sacrificed At The Altar Of Politics

    HM Rane targets Delhi Mohalla clinics; Says people should follow Goa model

    After Betrayal, Comes The Assurance From Goa CM

    North Goa SP Refutes Hostage Claim of French Actress

    CM in Troubled Mhadei Waters Again as Amit Shah Says Goa Was Part of Decision To Divert Mhadei

    Govt to assit to enhance happiness index: CM

    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    Archives
    • February 2023
    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    Categories
    • Big Story
    • Business News
    • Cricket
    • Crime
    • Football
    • Goa News
    • Goemkar Special
    • Health
    • India News
    • Local News
    • Off Beat
    • Opinion
    • Page 3
    • Photos
    • Political News
    • Snippets
    • Sports
    • Top News
    • Trending
    About
    About

    The Goemkarponn digital media platform gives you the latest news of the Goa Region. To read Goemkarponn News on your mobile, download our Android App (Goemkarponn News App).

    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube WhatsApp
    LINKS
    • Local News
    • Goa News
    • Political News
    • Goemkar Special
    ADVERTISEMENT
    AVAILABLE AD BANNER
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    Goemkarponn © 2023 - Powered by Xperts!.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT

    Sign In or Register

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below.

    Lost password?