Public hearing on Mopa airport impact report held amid chaos

Two groups, one for and the other against the proposed greenfield airport at Mopa in North Goa crossed swords at the public hearing, held to discuss the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report on the proposed airport today.
Organised by state government on a plateau acquired to set up the airport, the hearing was conducted by district collector Neela Mohanan and officials of Goa State Pollution Control Board, people's representatives and locals took part in it.
The two groups exchanged verbal feud, while some of them clashed, forcing the police to intervene.
A prominent anti-Mopa airport representative and former chief minister Churchill Alemao was booed by the crowd when he got up to put forth his objection to the project.

He said the project will has economic ramifications on South Goa.
Catholic priest and Convenor of a front which is opposing the project, Fr Eremito Rebello, said construction of the airport will affect the wildlife species existing on the plateau.

"There are some species which exists here, and are very important. They are vulnerable one but (species) do not find any mention in the EIA (report)," he said.
He also raised strong objection over the way public hearing was held by the government.
"Government has no control over the crowd. The hearing is being conducted in a shabby way," he commented.

Teacher Devendra Prabhdesai, a supporter of the project, said that the land identified for it is apt and since it is located away from locality it will have no adverse impact.
He pointed out that the EIA is positive and government should go ahead with the project.
Several locals who have lost their land, however, opined that they were cheated and construction of the airport would lead to loss of their existence.
"I would be orphaned in my own land," said one of the villagers.