3 linear projects: state to file its say on CEC suggestions before SC

NT NETWORK Panaji 

The state government will file its say on the recommendations of the central empowered committee before the Supreme Court, which is hearing the petition against three linear projects passing through the Western Ghats.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday told the state legislative assembly that a total of 37,979 trees are likely to be felled for these three linear projects in the forestland, but the actual number of trees to be cut can be ascertained only at the time of commencement of these works.

The central empowered committee constituted by the apex court has allowed national highway expansion on the existing alignment, however objected to other two projects namely doubling of railway tracks and Tamnar 400 KV power line through the dense forest, Sawant said.

Replying to a related question asked by Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte during the question hour, Sawant also said that there is some confusion as regards money deposited by the South Western Railway for land acquisition related to the doubling of railway tracks – although most of the land belonged to government, some of it is in possession of a private party.

Khaunte charged the government of promoting the three ecologically destructive projects against the wishes of people to please its central bosses.

The Chief Minister further informed through a written reply that the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change has granted in-principle approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of 138.39 hectares of forestland for the three  project proposals including doubling of railway tracks submitted by South Western Railway along Castle Rock-Kulem Kalay-Margao section.

“Approval for Tamnar power transmission line project falling in Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary has not been received till date,” the written reply added, pointing out that no approval has also been granted under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for four laning of national highway (NH-4).”

The written reply further stated that approval has been accorded by the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change after receiving the application from the concerned user agencies as per the provision of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 requiring diversion of forestland.

“A total of 37,979 trees have been enumerated for all the three  linear projects in the forestland including Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhagwan Mahaveer National Park,” it noted.

Sawant also informed that no forestland has been acquired for the above projects inside any protected area/ sanctuary and national park. “As per the information furnished by the collector (South) Goa district, a total of 12.1536 hectares land has been acquired for doubling of railway tracks project outside protected area/ wildlife sanctuary/ national park,” he mentioned.

“Similarly the road project environment impact assessment study has recommended several mitigation measures including sprinkling of water thrice-a-day to reduce the impact of air pollution during construction phase, and appropriate greening of the project corridor,” the written reply tabled in the Houser added.

Sawant also said the major portion of widening of NH-4A passing through Bhagwan Mahaveer National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary has been planned over viaduct to minimise the impact on flora and fauna of the sanctuary.

“In order to facilitate smooth crossing of wild animals, construction of three underpasses and one overpass has been proposed in the project,” he concluded.

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