Panaji: Amid opposition to the construction of its hotel project in Bambolim, World Wide Resorts and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, a Delhi-based company, is now under fresh scrutiny from the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) for lack of safety measures at the construction site. The SEAC has asked the project proponent to restore the soil around the pile foundations to prevent a cave-in of land during the monsoons.
The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), in April, denied environmental clearance to the hotel project due to negative observations made by the SEAC during site visits.
The SEIAA referred the project back to the SEAC for reassessment. Thereafter, the SEAC asked the company to get its pile foundations checked by reputed third-party engineers. The engineers’ report stated that a retaining wall is needed and the foundation has to be strengthened by replacing the excavated soil to prevent accidents during the rains.
The project involves the construction of an eight-floor hotel and is being opposed due to its adverse environmental impact on traditional fishing activities in the area.
World Wide Resorts had received Goa Investment Promotion Board (IPB) approval in June 2023 for the project on its own land.
During previous site inspections carried out over an eight-month period from June 2023 to March this year, the SEAC observed that the company had not obtained NOCs for pumping water, hill-cutting, or from the fire department. The SEAC had also raised concerns over the rupture of aquifers during construction and said that work continued despite specific instructions to stop.
