THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: Expressing shock, citizens of Curtorim have now suspected involvement of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department in protecting the culprits involved in illegal hill cutting activities that have destroyed the historical hill at Furamdongor, Curtorim.
More shocking is that construction activities continue in an area that has been developed by destroying the environment and there is no strict action from the authorities.
At the first instance, it took months for the TCP to initiate the proceedings and finally file a complaint with the police and that too with the information giving benefits to the person involved in the illegal hill cutting. TCP has not even mentioned the name of the accused person, wherein they have permitted to carry out construction activities in the area that has been developed after doing major destructions to the environment.
Presently, concerned police officials are waiting for the panchnama reports from the TCP in order to initiate further inquiry into the matter.
However, citizens of Curtorim are shocked to notice construction activities, despite the concerned person having been involved in illegal hill cutting.
Santano Rodrigues, Chairman of Curtorim Biodiversity Committee questioned, “How the construction activities are carried out at the Furamdongor, despite having concrete evidence of illegal hill cutting? Why is there no action from the TCP?”
It is pertinent to note that in June, Herald had highlighted the issue as citizens had alleged losses to its historical hill due to construction done by destroying the environment.
Herald ground report had revealed that the housing complex was being built without taking necessary permissions from the local panchayat. Not only trees have been felled, but also a temporary road has been built till the top of the hill. Even the official of TCP at Margao had admitted that the concerned person did not take any permission for the hill cutting at the mentioned site, but permission was given for the construction activities.
Now, after a few months and construction activities being carried out in full swing, despite issuing show cause notice pertaining to alleged illegal hill cutting, TCP has filed a complaint before the Maina-Curtorim police station.
“Yes, after there was no reply to the show cause notice, we have filed a complaint before the police and hence now it is up to them to initiate the further action,” Sandeep Surlekar, Deputy Chief Town Planner, Margao told Herald.
Earlier, he had assured to take action for violating the laws.
Shockingly, when contacted, the Police Inspector of Maina-Curtorim Mohan Gaude informed that the complaint filed by the TCP is against unknown accused and without proper documents enclosed.
“We had asked the TCP to submit the panchnama report so that further action is initiated, but are still waiting for the same. Complaint has been filed just 15-20 days before. We cannot proceed further unless the panchnama reports are in hand,” he informed Herald.
On the other hand Caetano Hilario, Sarpanch of Village Panchayat Curtorim told Herald that no permission has been given for any construction at Furamdongar, during his tenure
“I don’t know if the previous panchayat body had issued any permission. However, we will inquire into the matter,” he stated.
