TREES HACKED,MIRAMAR SEES RED

The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) issued a stop work order against a project for construction of a residential-cum-commercial complex by a private party near the site of a prime green property acquired by the science and technology department at Miramar to set up what was touted as “one of the world’s largest underwater aquariums”.
Fearing a possible “encroachment” on government land, a group of citizens complained to the CCP and forest department that a green patch was being cleared at the site. Confirming that CCP had issued the construction license, CCP commissioner Elvis Gomes said, “The location is being ascertained in view of the complaint and we have directed them not to carry out any work till further directions.” A board nailed to a banyan tree at the site indicates plans by a private body called Sai Baba Family Trust to construct a residential-cum-commercial building from an approval granted by the North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA). The details of the approval have been mentioned on it, but none about the total area of the project. The trust representative could not be contacted despite several attempts. However, science and technology director Michael D’Souza maintained that the site of the oceanarium project has not been sold. “This has just come to our notice and we will ask collector north (revenue authorities) to inspect the area and if there is any encroachment, he should ensure that nothing comes up in it.” Asserting that it is government property, he explained that the whole project area has been enclosed by a concrete wall.
When pointed out that a private party has cited NGPDA clearance, D’Souza said, “It is earmarked for a specific purpose, the oceanarium project and it has definitely not been sold.”