MARGAO: At least 50 families residing at Davondem, Gorvotti and adjoining areas have submitted a memorandum to the District Collector supporting the petrol pump coming up in Davondem. 

The support comes in the wake of the Margao Municipal Council issuing a stop-work order on Thursday.  

The residents of Madel, Davondem, Chovoth of Margao, Gorvotti, Murida, Kirbhat of Nuvem submitted a memorandum to the collector supporting the pump. The heads of the families said that, presently, they do not have an outlet for petrol, diesel for fueling for their vehicles. This is forcing them to go all the way to the congested town of Margao to add to the blocks. The people have claimed that the petrol pump and facilities/amenities like 24 hours pharmacy, a clinic, ATM service, bank and retail will help the people to a great extent in the long run. 

Meanwhile, Mackenzie D’Costa, the developer of the facility, said, “I have clear title and all the licences from the authorities. In addition to that I have paid the licence fee to the MMC for the same but did not expect stop work order from MMC.”

The MMC issued the stop-work order following complaints from the locality that the spillage of fuel in the adjoining fields will cause damage to agriculture and that the people won’t be allowed to light candles at the St Anthony Chapel in the property.

The developer of the property has been asked to reply to the MMC on why his licence shouldn’t be revoked.

The people from this area have come out in support of the pump as, presently, the nearest gas station is either on the Eastern Bypass 2 and half kms away or in the congested town Margao or in Verna which is 7 kms away from the area.