EIAA CONDUCTS SITE INSPECTION IN RAHEJA CASE AT THE INSTANCE OF ORLANDO DA SILVA

MARGAO: Acting on a complaint filed by the villagers under the leadership of Carmona panchayat member Orlando Da Silva, members of the Environment Impact Assessment Authority (EIAA) conducted a site inspection of the proposed K Raheja International mega construction project at Carmona on Thursday. The mega project, spread over an area of 88,000 sq m, has been in the eye of the storm following the persistent outcry by locals opposing it.

Besides da Silva, another panchayat member Jerson Figueredo was present during the EIAA site inspection. Two representatives of the Rahejas were also present, it is learnt.

Da Silva said that he submitted to the EIAA team a VCD copy showing the project site and the thick forest cover that existed in the area before work on the project begun. Pictures showing the sewage pipeline that has been laid at the construction site were also submitted to the EIAA officials, it was said.

"The EIAA team was shocked to see the destruction that had taken place in violation of forest and environment rules and regulations, especially within the CRZ no-development zone. They questioned and warned the Rahejas to consider the issues concerning the protection of the environment and treatment of garbage seriously," da Silva said. He added that the EIAA officials also questioned the Raheja representatives over how they could say that the laid RCC pipeline was a rain water drainage pipe, when their own construction plans submitted to their offices showed it as a sewerage line.

The EIAA told the Rahejas to remove the RCC pipeline immediately and submit fresh plans showing provisions for sewerage treatment, garbage treatment, besides submitting plans for restoration of trees destroyed during the construction of the mega project. Details with regards to the infrastructural requirement and plans for its provision were also sought from the company officials, it is learnt.

The villagers have now demanded that an environment impact assessment be done before any approvals are granted to the project.