Police restrain Candolim residents from building new road
TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: In yet another developmental block in Calangute constituency, Calangute Police on Sunday restrained residents of Candolim from doing a road in the village.
The incident of public spat between Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Joseph Sequeira seems to have cast a dark shadow on developmental works in Calangute constituency with stoppages of development in Calangute and Candolim. First, it was the bus bay at Calangute followed by road widening works along Calangute-Baga and now a private road in Candolim.
According to Panch Fermino Fernandes, the locals were stopped from constructing a road in private properties, meant to benefit the residents of Escrivao Vaddo, Candolim.
“The locals approached the Candolim Panchayat and former Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes over the issue, who extended their support and backed the locals to construct the road in their private properties,” said Fernandes.
Speaking to Herald, Agnelo Fernandes said the locals were doing the road meant to benefit the residents of the area, but the Calangute Police team led by PSI Nitin Harlarnkar restrained the locals and stopped the work in private properties.
“The road exists on Regional Plan, but was being repaired and tarred by levelling the boulders. Candolim Panchayat has given them the permission to repair the road, but the locals were stopped by Calangute Police. We are challenging the wrongful restraint by the Calangute Police officer and if need be will move the Court of Law. We however respect the stay order by BDO Mapusa to stop the work,” stated Fernandes.
When contacted, MLA Lobo said: “I will never stop a genuine and planned development in Calangute constituency as it is my first priority.”
“I have not stopped any development of road by Candolim Panchayat or locals at Escrivao Vaddo. However, a local has complained to the authorities including the Block Development Officer over forcible construction of road in his private property without his consent,” said Lobo.
“In fact, I was happy that the road is taking shape in the private property with mutual consent of locals and the panchayat as the residents of the area had approached me over the issue. However if a local objects for doing the road in his property, why should I be blamed? Everyone needs to be taken into confidence over the issue,” added Lobo.
