VASCO: The environmental public hearing for the proposed consequential terminal capacity enhancement for the modernisation of berth 5A-6A belonging to South West Port Ltd in the jurisdiction of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) organised by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) at Tourist Hall in Vasco on Monday was deferred following demands by citizens to organise it in a more spacious premises where more people can be accommodated.
A large number of people including environmentalists and concerned citizens of Vasco thronged the venue in large numbers. However, many could not be accommodated in the hall due to shortage of space. Some people including women were forced to seat in the veranda. People objected to holding the hearing at the venue on the grounds that there was no sufficient space.
District collector South Swapnil Naik had issued a public notice about the hearing.
Social activists Savio Correia, Edwin Mascarenhas, T T Shreedharan, Simon Pereira, John Fernandes besides others raised objection to the project.
Former president of Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association Simon Pereira suggested the authorities to choose Saturday or Sunday for the environmental public hearing, either at Tilak Maidan or any other spacious premises where all people can seat and give their say over the expansion project.
Additional collector-II South district Johnson Fernandes, environmental engineer GSPCB Sandeep Joglekar and deputy collector and sub-divisional magistrate Mormugao (additional charge) Arvind Kotkar who were trying to conduct the environmental public hearing with project component to brief about their expansion project was stalled for some moment and later on considering the public sentiment, decided to defer the same.
People were also of the opinion that the environmental public hearing which were fixed on March 20, 24 and 27 for the expansion of different projects, within the jurisdiction of MPT should be held together without wasting the time of the general public. Fernandes however rejected the plea but assured to hold them in a more spacious venue.
Fernandes said, “I have listened to public and have come to the conclusion that the Tourist hall which was selected for the environmental public hearing fell short of space and have decided to defer the environmental public hearing for further date which will be conveyed to the general public by issuing a public notice by the concerned authorities.”
A large number of police force was deployed inside and outside the hall to avoid any untoward incident. Some people were seen standing outside the hall with placards raising objection to the expansion
plan.