OLD GOA, MARCH 26
Cumbarjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar on Friday raised the issue of a possible landslide in Santarbhat-Divar Island, which the residents fear of, in the Assembly Session.
Madkaikar raised the issue under Rule 63 of Procedures and Conduct of Business of Goa Legislative Assembly.
It may be recalled that on Thursday, residents of Santarbhat had met Cumbarjua MLA Madkaikar at his residence in Old Goa and had apprised him of fears over a possible landslide in the area admeasuring 36,000 sq mtrs in Santarbhat.
Madkaikar had assured Diwar locals that he would bring the issue to the notice of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and also raise it during the ongoing Assembly Session as a calling attention during the Zero Hour.
Speaking during the zero hour, Madkaikar said: “There was a fear and anxiety in the minds of locals of Goltim, Navelim Piedade due to illegal hill cutting, known as Oiteral, situated within Goltim, Navelim Panchayat jurisdiction.”
“The hill cutting is carried out by a construction company and its sister concern for the purpose of setting up of Konkan Railway in Diwar Island, due to which landslides have been occurring which is dangerous to the surrounding houses and their lives,” stated Madkaikar.
“I would like to bring to the attention of the House that Justice C J Oza, chairman of one-man commission, in his report submitted in December 1993 had clearly stated that hillock in Diwar Island, which was damaged by the earthwork should be terraced,” he added.
“But the direction given by Justice Oza was not followed by the concerned authority and therefore the chief minister should take up the matter with the Ministry of Railways to take necessary prevention to avoid damages to the lives of the villagers,” Madkaikat told the House.
He also urged to comply with necessary remedial action as per the report submitted by the Oza Commission in 1993.
Replying to the question raised by Madkaikar, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat assured to look into the matter and take necessary action before the monsoon.
