Jul 23

Multipurpose Terminal Scam -White Orchid Estate

There is a creek called Aronda in Sindhudurg. There is a jetty from where people can cross from Maharashtra to Goa. Meaning that on either side of the creek is Maharshtra and Goa respectively. A ferry service operates to help people cross over. There are lush mangroves in the creek. A company called White Orchid estates private limited having its address in Chembur, Mumbai is trying to expand this into a port and has started work on the ground. There are no environment clearances, no permission from MCZMA, MPCB,MoEF., etc etc. This company has permission from the Ratnagiri Divison of the Maharashtra Maritime board. The board has given them permission to ship 2lakh tonnes of iron ore. This Company Director Pratamesh Teli who is the son of Rajan Teli. Incidentally Pratamesh Teli is a college student studying in Sydhnam college! Other Director who has signed the the deal with Maharashtra Maritime Board is Siddarth Bhalla. The lush mangroves along the jetty which have been reclaimed using late rite rocks! This is in violation of the Hon`ble High court order of 2005 which protects mangroves. The company has begun to store construction material all over the place, when they dont have CRZ clearances or environment clearance? And they are so confident that the mines in Sawantwadi and Dodamarg will begin soon so they are going ahead with the construction. The condition of Redi port and the beach near Redi. The beach has become red and filthy due to excessive deposition of iron ore waste. Similar fate will happen here . If this port is allowed in Aronda, the creek will get silted up and the mangroves will be affected. Also the fishermen will suffer due to the loss of fishes due to pollution. If not stopped it could prove a massive destruction of environment in the concerned area. The work for the port also involves blasting rocks in the base of the creek at the mouth where it meets the sea. All natural defenses will be destroyed and the villages nearby will get hit in case of rise in the sea level.

There is no NOC from Goa for the work. If you go to Goa and see the Zuari river, its impossible to bring boats in due to siltation from mining transport dust. If siltation continues in the is area could obstruct the navigation in the area. In short it is an environmental problem. There is no need for this port or mining in Sindhudurg. Along the coast there should be fish processing units, beach and adventure tourism not mining. The Forest department is considering to add Aronda as a protected place and few private companies are trying to destroy it. . As per the details obtained from Registrar of companies , White Orchid estate private limited having ofiice in Gurudev sra society, Chembur naka, Chembur, Mumbai . Managing Director as per ROC is Rajesh Devendra Upadhayay.

Company ownership is as follows: 1-ICI Coal and Mines private limited, having office in 8/ A-4, Basant Park, R.C.Marg, Chembur, Mumbai 400071. 2- Supreme construction and developers private limited, having office in 7/ A-4, Basant Park, R.C. Marg, Chembur, Mumbai 400071. When checked in ROC, ICI coal and mines private limited, we found following names as shareholders. Rehana M Kanchwala, Lalit S Tekchandani, Kajol L Tekchandani, Rajeev Khatri. Supreme Construction and developers private limited, shareholders were Lalit S Tekchandani, Kajol L Tekchandani, Rajeev Khatri, Ajai Chander Israni. The entire game revolves a group of people supported by all in the government officials, politicians,etc at the cost of the common man.

Posted 23rd July 2012 by Manoj Singh