Zuari bridge’s towers get CRZ nod with new riders

Panaji: The Goa coastal zone management authority (GCZMA) has granted CRZ clearance for the construction of the twin towers atop the new Zuari bridge, with revised conditions, at a charge of Rs 5 lakh as scrutiny fees. The GCZMA has directed that the project proponent set up a separate environmental management cell “for effective implementation of the stipulated environmental safeguards under the supervision of a senior executive”.

The GCZMA has said that funds should be earmarked for the environment management plan, which should not be diverted for any other purpose.

The authority has said that no traditional access should be blocked and it should be ensured that there is no displacement of people, houses, or fishing activity as a result of the project. The GCZMA also said that fishing activity should not be disturbed in any manner.

The Bhopal-based contractors Dilip Buildcon, who constructed the bridge, have also won the contract for development of the twin towers.

The twin tower project has been awaiting CRZ clearance for over a year now, delaying its construction.

The GCZMA inspection report had stated that the proposed project falls in the mangrove and mangrove buffer zone (CRZ-IA), CRZ-III (NDZ for river/creek), CRZ-IB (water body), and fishing zone. The authority had accordingly directed the project proponent to submit clarification on permission from the pollution control board and the forest department regarding the mangroves and others observations raised in the inspection report.

As part of the project, the contractor had proposed a children’s play area, toilets, pantry, ticket booth, security cabin, and administrative building, on the ground below the bridge on the Agasaim side, where Dilip Buildcon’s temporary office currently stands. A walkway will be built from here to the base of the towers, from where high-speed elevators will take visitors to the top of one of the two observatories.

The proposal states that the walkway bridge will be 120m long and 12m wide.

The towers are being planned as an international tourist attraction to rival those like the Eiffel Tower. Once ready, the contractor will operate the towers for 50 years and visitors to the observatories will be charged a fee. The cost of construction will be recovered through the entry fees.