PANAJI: The high court’s move to revoke the construction licence issued to the Goa government’s 400KV Goa Tamnar power transmission project proves that due process was not followed while granting clearances for the project, said the opposition parties.
Congress and Goa Forward Party have now demanded that the project, which is coming in the fragile Western Ghats, should be withdrawn.
“I welcome the decision of the high court to revoke the construction licence of Tamnar project,” said opposition leader Digambar Kamat. “The local Sangod panchayat must now go with the people’s voice and refrain from any act which will destroy the identity of Goa.”
The Tamnar project is one of the three linear projects that are planned in the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park.
GFP president Vijai Sardesai also welcomed the order. “The highest court in the state giving a stay means that the projects are not lawful,” said Sardesai. “These projects do not follow the spirit of the law, and it is now seen that they don’t follow the letter of the law. The government was just trying to bulldoze these projects.”
Both Congress and GFP called on Goans to protect the environment. “The projects are not only immoral but illegal and should be immediately rolled back and withdrawn. Every concerned Goan, from every community and political party has to work towards saving Goa now,” said Sardesai.
Based on the high court’s order and the government’s attempts to push the project, GFP said the entire project could be a scam.