Goa: HC directs immediate stoppage of ore transportation

In an interim order, the Bombay High Court today directed immediate suspension of transportation of minerals from the 88 mining leases in Goa whose operations were stopped by the Supreme Court last month.

The Goa government has allowed transportation of excavated ore from these mines, which is challenged by the NGO Goa Foundation before the high court.

The Goa bench of justices Prithviraj Chavan and N M Jamdar today passed the interim direction, ordering immediate suspension of transportation of all minerals from 88 mining leases till April 18, the next date of hearing.

It also asked the Advocate General to file a reply in two weeks.

On February 7, the SC set aside a second renewal of 88 mining leases in the state, holding the process illegal.

Allowing even the transportation of ore (excavated before the SC order came into effect) "will be in breach of the judgement of the apex court", said the division bench.

Also, the way the transportation is done in Goa and its magnitude would affect the fragile ecology and the well-being of average Goan which the apex court has put a stress on, the HC said.

The state government has failed to point out where in the ruling the SC permitted transportation of ore to continue indefinitely irrespective of the impact on environment, the high court said.