Delays may see Goa lose GAIL pipeline project: Kamat

Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today said the state will have to forego Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) pipeline proposal if there are delays in completing formalities.

Participating in the Goa State Environment Protection Council meeting, chaired by Governor S S Sidhu, Kamat said he has asked the state government officials to expedite the formalities on this important project.

"Goa will have to forego this scheme if there are delays," the Chief Minister said, adding, "no forest land would be diverted for other purpose until finalisation of the forest policy."

GAIL has proposed extending its planned Dabhol-Bangalore gas pipeline to Goa to meet the fuel needs of the state. The pipeline will be tapped midway and diverted to the state. 

Kamat said consultations with locals would be held before declaring the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve. 

"The stakeholders would have to be taken into confidence before taking a final decision on the Centre's suggestion to declare Mhadei Wild Life Sanctuary as a tiger reserve," he said.

Former Union minister for Environment and Forest, Jairam Ramesh had asked Goa government to forward a proposal about the tiger reserve.

Meanwhile, Sidhu said mining was directly affecting the environment and the state should have a policy framework in place.

"Goa should have its own policy to control mineral ore mining which may be aligned with the Central Policy as and when the same is finalised," he added.