Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Oct 6: The Regional Empowered Committee (REC) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has deferred Goa’s proposal to divert forest land for widening the Panaji–Anmod section of National Highway 4A, citing environmental concerns.
During its meeting on September 19, the REC noted that the proposed road expansion passes through the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, where such activities are regulated. The committee pointed out discrepancies in the number of trees marked for felling, irregularities in the width of the Right of Way (RoW), and inconsistencies in the proposed compensatory afforestation areas.
The panel has asked the Goa government to clarify whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been conducted and to provide additional details on tree felling, compensatory afforestation, environmental impact, and RoW demarcation. It also sought soil and moisture conservation plans, muck disposal strategies, and wildlife mitigation measures.
The proposal, which involves diversion of 31.53 hectares of forest land in Mollem for four-laning of the Goa–Karnataka border to Panaji stretch, has been pending with the Ministry since 2020.
Highlighting the ecological sensitivity of the Western Ghats, the REC said no clearance will be given until all environmental safeguards are met. “The area proposed for diversion falls within the ESZ of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, where road expansion is permitted only with proper Environment Impact Assessment and mitigation measures,” it noted.
The committee also flagged inconsistencies in the tree felling data — while the Deputy Conservator of Forests reported 7,724 trees to be cut, the Project Screening Committee listed 8,102. The State has been asked to clarify the exact number.
Additionally, the REC directed the State to submit updated KML files, revised Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), and details of transmission lines and alternative routes considered for the project.