PANAJI
The controversial Borim Bridge project has come under renewed scrutiny before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), with petitioners submitting fresh evidence claiming that the project cannot legally proceed without forest clearance, after an RTI reply allegedly confirmed the applicability of the Forest (Conservation) Act to land under acquisition.
The petitioners contend that the bridge, which could require the cutting of nearly 5,000 trees, is being pushed ahead without key environmental approvals.
In a fresh affidavit filed before the NGT on May 28, petitioner Tulshidas Naik from, Borim, Ponda, has relied on information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to contend that the project cannot proceed without statutory environmental and forest clearances.
“RTI reply confirms the averments of the Applicants that a Forest Clearance is required for the Borim Bridge project and in the absence of the clearances including the Forest Clearance, the CRZ Clearances and an EIA Clearance, the Borim Bridge Project should be stayed and should not be permitted to be executed,” the petitioner stated.
According to the affidavit, the EIA and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) prepared by private consultants for the project estimate that around 4,875 trees would need to be cut. The petitioners, however, argue that the actual number is likely to be much higher.
The applicant argued that a report prepared by the Thomas Committee, appointed by the Forest Department, had identified Survey No. 28 of Queula village as a private forest. Since portions of this land and adjoining forest areas are proposed to be acquired for the bridge project, they contend that forest clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act is mandatory.
The affidavit also refers to a letter dated March 15, 2024, in which the project proponent had reportedly informed the Deputy Conservator of Forests that the bridge alignment would pass through Queula, Bandora, Borim and Loutolim villages. The letter specifically noted that a portion of Survey No. 357 in Borim village had been demarcated as private forest and sought a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Forest Department for the project.
However, the petitioners claim that no such NOC has been issued by the Forest Department to date.
Pointing to the RTI reply dated May 8, 2026, issued by the Office of the Deputy Conservator of Forests, North Goa Division, the petitioner said that it confirms that the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 are applicable to Survey No. 28 of Queula village.
The RTI response also states that no permission has been granted by the Deputy Conservator of Forests for the felling of trees required for the Borim Bridge project.
A group of villagers from Borim and Loutolim had approached the NGT in 2024 challenging the bridge project over Environment Clearance.
