The Indian Concrete Institute, Goa Centre, under the stewardship of Chairman, Pascoal Noronha, President, Dr Jennifer Kamat took a bold initiative to organize a “symposium / panel discussions on the proposed Panaji – Vasco-da-Gama – Mormugao Harbour –Sea link project Goa , at the India International Centre Dona Paula on 9th September, 2010. at 4. 48 p.m. The meet registered an impressive audience – many of them technocrats professionals, engineering students, lay persons, representatives of the Government of Goa and some NGO’s.
Initiating the discussions after inaugurating the symposium by President of the Indian Engineers Association, Mr. P P Borkar, felt that before delving on the issue of the sea – link - the factors that need to be given a thought to are the utility of the two existing bridges almost 1 km long on the River Zuari and the third one underway; the land acquisition costs involved, besides the geometrics of the approach roads , the effect of land acquisition on those involved in traditional occupations, the emotive issues involving ancestral land of those displaced from their existing abode and the compensation. The issue of political acceptability of the project and the savings entailed in such projects. In a lighter vein he pointed out that – while most developed countries laid emphasis on “planning the work - in India, we concentrate on - working the plan”. Citing the instance of the Bandra Worli sea link stretch which is about 5 to 6 kms long and can be covered in five to six minutes instead of the earlier route of 8 kms via Mahim causeway consuming well over and hour. The economics is there in both money as well as time. saved. However the congestion at the approach roads are still a grave bottle neck. He also mentioned that earlier in a paper presented by the Institute of Engineers the planning ought to began at the grass root level this policy of down –up was accepted while undertaking the exercise on the Draft Regional Plan 2020. Hence the proposal of the sea-link too ought to have followed this process but it was not so hence ignorance is bliss. Mr. Anupam Kishore Jt Director (Finance) Public Private Participation Cell, Govt of Goa, who will head the sea – link project made a power point presentation explaining the nitty gritty involved thus far in the proposed sea – link project . Background - Goa has been ranked as the number one state in the country and an important tourist destination. It is the vision of this Government to make Goa a model state and upgrade it to levels of the developed world. Hence the proposal for greater emphasis on infra-structure development and fiscal assistance, found support from both the Planning Commission of India and duly supported by the Ministry of Finance Govt of India . The Central Governments view has been that if growth rate was to be attained at 9% or above then greater emphasis needs to be made on infrastructure development. It was owing to this that the Budget of 2009-10 found mention of this project and an initial budgetary allocation of Rs.1000 crore was earmarked for the consultancy work. Following this a Cabinet approval was obtained and the expression of Interests was floated on 28th September, 2009 and by 10th December, 2009 several international bidders of repute from Germany, Spain, Singapore, etc evinced keen interest and after their presentation just 3 were short listed after burning the midnight oil, in January,2010, the final decision to appoint the consultant will follow immediately. Benefits – Presently the state is well connected to road, air, rail and sea route . However the nearest rail head to Panaji is 12 kms from Karmali Station. Today the sea route plays a very important role in the growth of the economy by having an efficient infrastructure for transportation of goods and services . Integrating the Mormugao Harbour Port and Vasco-da-Gama city to the hinter land talukas and neighbouring states is essential. Presently most goods are exported via Colombo Sri Lanka . Today commuting from Panaji to Vasco-da-Gama 35 kms takes over an hour but the proposed sea link of about six kms whether it connects from Dona Paula or Siridao Bambolim to Mormugao Harbour or to Vasco da Gama or Chicalim would reduce this distance by almost 30 kms. The exact location is not finalized yet as the approach road networks need to be identified to cope up with the envisaged traffic movement. Even with the development of Mopa a green field international airport in North Goa alongside the existing Dabolim airport down South with the sea link it will reduce the distance for transit passengers or onward destinations bound passengers to the South by almost 30 to 35 kms . There is no land accquisition involved as the bridge would be over the sea. Financial --- In the Bandra Worli sea link Rs. 800 crores was invested but most of it was due to delayed execution. It took nearly 8 years instead of a mere two years . The allocation made by the Govt of Goa to the proposed sea link in the 2009-10 budget was Rs.1000 crores as a rough estimate more could be provided in the 2010-11 budget. However of this amount to be spent the Central Government will provide 40% of the funds as Viable Gap Fund 20% will be provided by the State Government and 40 % will come from private sector participation in the project. Economic – With the expansion of the Port and augmentation of the Port facilities like passenger cruise terminal, iron export terminal, liquid cargo handling berth, and above all a passenger cruise terminal to boost tourism in the State there is bound to be a multiplier effect on the economy of the State and the general economy of the country besides providing a boost to tourism and industry at large, Others - the alignment the Geo Technical Investigations, the concept design to make it aesthetical will need to be re-visited once the Consultancy firm is entrusted the task Most of the panelists had reservations on the project and that to a point though some reasons appeared disputable. Dr A C Anil Senior Scientist of the National Institute of Oceanography and Dr G N Nayak Prof of Dept of Marine Science in Goa University gave a power point presentation on the impact of marine life need for Environment Impact Assessment on biodiversity -- The study of the Mandovi estuary clearly showing how the marine life was affected in 1926, 1968 ,1986, where the river flow down stream was affected owing to sedimentation and thereby causing bouts of fish famine. This was the same in case of the Zuari river. Near the Chicalim, Dona Paula bay clamps cultivation would be affected so also prawn culture in other areas . This will affect the economy of the traditional fishermen and Goans who relish fish will be the sufferers. Even the shadow of the bridge over the sea could affect marine life. Owing to the sea link – mainly being illuminated at nights movement of vehicular traffic movement of migratory birds and even dolphins would affect them. Ironically bird viewing and dolphins sight-seeing tours which attract tourists to the state would suffer. To illustrate further the impact of a bridge – the study on the impact of the Kali bridge in Karwar, Karnataka over the River Kali showed that the river mouth was moving northward after the bridge was constructed. Apparently he felt that the CM a real estate developer has personal interests in this pet project. The CRZ – 1991 is a case in point pointed out Dr Nayak who was at his wittiest best; despite the rules and regulations in force there were “authorized” constructions – by way of regularizations and now orders for demolition on those that are within 500 metres, 200 metres and 100 metres of No development Zone. Who authorized these structures in the first place? he quizzed the audience. The development in the State has to be sustainable without adverse impact on the environment . He said while the State achieved the highest iron ore production in 1985 its consequences on the ecology was adverse. The contamination of lakes eg at Santa Cruz Tiswadi Goa filled with plastic non bio-degradable waste is a case in view. The sea link could also result in plastic waste around the piers etc. Summing up he stated that the greatest ills affecting the State has been owing to mismanagement in Mining, Solid waste management Vehicular pollution and CRZ – ICZM. these need to be addressed. Infact why label the project as a sea – link and not a bridge Prof . Dr. Nayak wondered because eventually it is going to be a bridge over the sea just like those over the rivers in Goa. Should we merely copy others – just because Mumbai has a sea link need we have one ? And making a power point presentation down loading some of the fantastic bridges in Rio Brazil and elsewhere he wondered whether we need to copy each of these. Can we not decide what Goa needs and what is acceptable to the stake holders the common man? But at least the Chamber of Industry & Commerce in Goa; felt that a project so vital to boost the economy and jettison industry in the State was not consulted . Posing several questions representative of the Chamber an industrialist himself Mr. Blaise Costa Bir ex CEO of the Verna Industrial estate as one of the panelist felt that the Government has had its priorities wrong. Have those stake holders been consulted? Why not assess the potential of other river navigation routes with Central assistance coming for development of inland water ways. Why not expand existing road network , or re-fashion the linkages to the Golden Triangle towards Belgaum, in Karnataka which is the closest link to Goa/ The infrastructure linking Mormugao Taluka to Ponda Taluka and onto Chorla Ghat – Belgaum would require that the Mormugao to Rassaim road or a bridge onto - Dhurbat leading to Ponda be improved and could easily make way for movement of container trucks and also mobility of indigeneous work force from Ponda and beyond Talukas in North Goa to Verna instead of relying on Biharis and UP nationals migrants who have cornered jobs in Verna and around. The bridge at Zuari is declared out of bounds for the movement of goods truck and containers hence most of them are forced to take a detour to reach North, or East. Upgrading the bridge or a new bridge over the River Zuari parallel to NH 17 ought to have been the priority. Expansion of rail network the Konkan Railway was much needed . The Draft Regional Plan 2020 has not forseen the sea link and finds no mention. The Eco sensitive zones would be affected by the proposed sea-link. Has the stake holder been consulted ? The people are waiting for the final approved Regional Plan but this is not forthcoming despite representations made by the Chamber . At the question answer session an activist Ms Patricia Pinto of People’s Movement for Civic Action, Panaji pointed out that the sea-link project was apparently in view when the Government rode roughshod in the Assembly to move the amendments to the Town and Country Planning Act section 16 and 16 A despite stiff opposition from the citizens thus keeping such projects out of the ambit of the Draft regional Plan 2020 and hence it smacked of ulterior motives of the Government. Another representative of an NGO South Goa Public Interest Action Group wondered how tourism could be developed if the State would be developed on par with developed countries. After all tourists visit the State for it natural ambience a la village state and not a city state. He suspected that the ongoing plans for port development namely the cruise terminal etc were linked to this project and hence the veil of secrecy in the matter thus far. Would not the sea link affect the coastal taluka demography with this development ? He also asked of the organizers why the panel which had representatives from Government , Industry, NIO and the Goa University did not have the peoples representative in the form of NGO’s or elected representatives at grass root levels Panchayats and Municipalities ? . Another member of the audience advised the Government to browse the internet for the pros and cons of the sea link with reference to John’s Pass Bridge. A senior engineer challenged the averments of Dr A C Anil relating to destruction to be caused to marine life owing to construction of piers in the river Mandovi and Zuari. According to him there was no affect on marine life as sufficient safeguards were taken at the foot of the piers. He further questioned how the barge movement did not in any way affect the rivers thus far. The Chief Minister Mr. Digamber Kamat who addressed the valedictory function later that evening sensing the mood of the deliberations against the sea link, and the political developments in the state some seeking his ouster, and also vowing to see that the sea link project is aborted; assured the audience that his Government had merely mooted the project at the instance of the Planning Commission recommendations for infrastructure development and the appointment of the Consultancy firm would alone be its priority. There is no hurry but given the traffic on the roads clearly the congestion needs to be addressed. In fact a noted architect from South Goa speaking to this writer post function was disgusted with the way the Government has placed its priorities. He felt that the present dispensation meaning the Government was merely interested in pushing its proposal rough shod irrespective of the valid opposition to some of its project. Citing a case in point he mentioned a high rise building in a conservative zone opposite the Hospicio Margao which the present Government alleged was given a commercial zone status by the previous government Similarly another building parallel to the Rua Abade Faria and others in the Old fish Market and Pimpalkatta were cases in point where the planning was amiss, destroying the city. Many in the audience expressed discreet opinions that the sea-link consultancy pay offs will fetch the elected representatives whether in opposition or on the treasury a bonanza but Goans will obviously need to gear up for another bout of agitation if the Government has its way. Interacting with some of those in attendance, this writer noted that majority were totally ignorant of the “sea-link” as except for a few tit bits that appeared on local newspapers sometime as earlier there was no clarity on the nitty gritty of the project until this seminar. Engineer Earnest Moniz ably moderated the event . GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES, BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA) +91 98221 58584 (24 HRS) [email protected] The INTERNET now has a personality. YOURS! See your Yahoo! Homepage. http://in.yahoo.com/
