Justice seekers from Loutoli in Borim have urged NGT to stop land acquisition

Justice seekers from Loutoli in Borim have urged NGT to stop land acquisition

The petition challenges the authorities’ disregard for CRZ identification, impact on the environment and forest areas, and community well-being; seeks guidance for respondents to investigate environmental impacts before proceeding with the land acquisition process

Herald syndrome

MARGAO: Frustrated by lack of transparency and consultation, villagers from Loutolim and Borim have finally knocked on the doors of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), demanding justice in connection with land acquisition for the proposed new Borim Bridge on NH 17-B.

In a meticulously drafted petition spanning over 500 pages, including annexure, submitted on May 15 and duly accepted by the NGT, residents of Loutolim and Borim raised their grievances regarding the proposed construction of the new Borim High Bridge.

The petition challenges the defendant authorities’ disregard for key issues such as the identification of the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ), impacts on the environment and forest areas, and the well-being of communities dependent on these sensitive ecosystems, and the use of erroneous traffic data.

It is submitted that the respondents – Special Land Acquisition Officer, National Highway, Executive Engineer, Works Department XV (NH), Chief Engineer (NH, R and B) and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways – are clearly on the side of the final notification pursuant to Art. 3D of the National Roads Act regarding the proposed construction of the new Borim High Bridge without obtaining the required environmental, CRZ and forest clearing permits for this project.

In the petition, the applicants (residents of Borim and Loutolim) asked respondents for guidance on how to examine and consider the environmental impacts expected of each solution before deciding on grading and carrying out the land acquisition process.

It is submitted that the applicants belong to indigenous communities and their economy, environment and society are directly affected by the proposed Borim Bridge alignment and the blatant disregard for environmental and socio-economic impacts.

“The applicants are seriously affected by the proposed acquisition and maintenance of over 1.6 lakh square meters of ecologically sensitive khazan lands lying in the CRZ and hundreds of indigenous families who traditionally cultivate paddy rice and fish in the khazan, in addition to forests and other prime agricultural land, not even realizing the nature of these lands and the dependence of such a large number of indigenous people on these lands,” they stated in their petition to the NGT.

It is also stated that the authorities concerned, without having to prove themselves, have approved an alternative solution that destroys large, ecologically sensitive areas hosting large populations, without taking into account the mandatory environmental and socio-economic aspects.

Besides, NGT was informed that the existing Borim Bridge has recently been approved to undergo extensive repairs with a design life of another 20 years and therefore it is sufficient to handle the commuter traffic from Borim and other parts of Ponda Taluka to Margao and other parts of Salcete Taluka and South District.