Activist Escalates Fight Against Proposed Fish Meal Unit in Cuncolim

Complaints Filed Before CMC and TCP Over Alleged Illegal Road Access

By Staff Reporter

MARGAO: The controversy surrounding a proposed fish meal processing unit at Cuncolim has intensified, with environmental activist Jorson Femandes filing multiple complaints before civic and planning authorities alleging that the project is relying on an “illegal and unauthorised road” for access.

The issue first came into public focus through a report published in The Goan, which stated that Femandes had urged the Cuncolim Municipal Council (CMC) to reject the construction licence application submitted by MS Goa Marine Impex Pvt Ltd for the proposed fish meal plant.

According to the complaint, the company allegedly constructed or proposed access through a road that does not legally exist in official land records and sale deed plans connected to the property.

Femandes has also reportedly approached the Town and Country Planning Department seeking revocation of the technical clearance granted to the project. In his representation, he requested authorities to conduct a fresh site inspection and verify whether the road shown in project documents corresponds with the actual position on site.

The activist has argued that if the access road itself is unauthorised, permissions granted on the basis of that access may require reconsideration.

The matter has triggered concern among sections of local residents and environmental observers in Cuncolim, where opposition to industrial projects has frequently centred around environmental impact, infrastructure strain and legality of approvals.

Sources familiar with the issue stated that the complaints question whether the access shown in the development plans matches the original sale deed and land survey records. The representations reportedly call for verification “at loco” before any further permissions are processed.

The proposed fish meal unit has already attracted public attention due to concerns over pollution, odour and environmental impact typically associated with such processing plants. Residents in parts of South Goa have in the past opposed similar industries citing fears over air quality and ecological damage.

Authorities are now expected to examine the complaints and determine whether the approvals granted to the project comply with planning and municipal regulations.

Neither representatives of MS Goa Marine Impex Pvt Ltd nor officials from the concerned departments issued an official public response at the time of reporting.