Panaji: The Goa government on Tuesday told the Legislative Assembly that the proposed Unity Mall project at Chimbel does not fall within a notified wetland conservation zone and has received all mandatory statutory clearances, amid opposition from local residents.
Replying to a Calling Attention Motion moved by BJP MLA Rudolfo Fernandes, State Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte clarified that the project site lies outside the protected wetland area.
Khaunte said the Wetland Conservation Authority has issued a written communication confirming that the land earmarked for the project is beyond the notified conservation boundary.
The reply stated that the government remains fully committed to the protection and preservation of wetland ecosystems and that no development activity is proposed or being undertaken within the protected wetland area, adding that all environmental safeguards are being strictly adhered to.
Addressing concerns over possible road widening and demolition of houses, Khaunte said the project is located along an existing four-lane national highway and there is no proposal to widen the road for the Unity Mall. Accordingly, there is no question of demolition of any residential structures on this account, he said.
The minister said that the government has acknowledged apprehensions raised by local residents, including members of the Scheduled Tribe community.
He maintained that the project is expected to generate employment opportunities for locals through direct jobs at the site as well as indirect and ancillary activities such as transport, logistics, maintenance and support services.
On water usage, Khaunte clarified that the project’s water requirement will be met through the Water Supply Department and that there is no proposal to draw water from the nearby lake or any surrounding water bodies.
The minister informed the House that all necessary permissions have been obtained for the project.
These include written confirmation from the Wetland Conservation Authority, Consent to Establish from the Goa State Pollution Control Board, and other mandatory statutory approvals as required under prevailing laws and regulations, he said.
The opposition benches, including Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Revolutionary Goans Party MLA Viresh Borkar, Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai and AAP MLA Venzy Veigas, demanded that the project should be scrapped, claiming it to be detrimental to the environment.
Khaunte said that the Unity Mall will be beneficial for tourism and the local economy, giving a boost to the surrounding area.
Intervening in the discussion, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant invited the protesters to meet him on Wednesday at 4 pm in his chamber in the Assembly to discuss their concerns.
The opposition benches, however, were not satisfied with the reply and rushed to the well of the House, after which the session was adjourned for ten minutes by Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar.
