HERALD: Is the government bulldozing the people over inclusion of Calangute/ Candolim into PDA and ODP?
AGNELO: Yes the government has forced PDA’s on the village. Every gram sabha in Calangute, Candolim and Parra have objected to the inclusion of their respective villages in PDA/ODP. Government has certainly pushed its position through.
HERALD: Do you think this move is basically by MLA Lobo as he has vested interests?
AGNELO: Calangute and Candolim was added to the NGPDA so that MLA Lobo could control the panchayat areas. He has been pandering to non Goan builders.
Rampant filling of fields and cutting of hills is evident from Parra to Candolim during his tenure. Numerous complaints have been filed by NGOs and villagers. Not much action is forthcoming. His links to the builder lobby is apparent and as such he has a vested interests.
HERALD: What steps do you intend to take along with people?
AGNELO: Hills which were shown as No Development Zones (NDZ) and low lying tenanted fields have been converted in the ODP.
Besides approaching the appropriate courts of law, a people’s movement is also being built up to counter the scourge of PDA.
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HERALD: There is growing opposition for Calangute-Candolim ODP. You are charged of corruption.
LOBO: There is no such opposition as projected by my opponents through the media. There are three-four people only who are having problem with ODP. If anyone has some objection, let them represent it to me. I am ready to hear them. We want to have a transparent planning process. I am assuring that areas like mangroves, no development zones, won’t be touched upon. Whoever is charging me of corruption should prove it. Let them not draft a fake or flimsy picture before media. Let them prove it.
HERALD: How is ODP going to help the villagers?
LOBO: ODP is basically drafted to have a planned development for these coastal villages which are saturated. We also propose to regularize all those structures, built in its own property, by granting them additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Public projects like garbage plant, animal shelter, alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre, multi-level parking, play ground, market complex, health centre, new 25 meter road, etc, are proposed under the draft plan.
HERALD: When will the plan be ready?
LOBO: We have kept it open now for fresh public suggestions till mid-April. We will consider all the inputs that we get. The final plan will be ready in next three months. It will be placed before the town and country planning board for approval
