SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: Residents and farmers of Colva were left in disbelief on Tuesday upon discovering the construction of a retaining wall in agricultural fields to facilitate road widening.
Expressing their frustration, locals have demanded the immediate cessation of work in the fields.
Upon learning of the development on Tuesday, farmers and residents gathered at the site to oppose the construction of the retaining wall in the agricultural area as part of the road widening project.
Following complaints from locals, a team from the Town and Country Planning Department, along with the Survey Department, promptly arrived at the site to investigate.
Speaking to O Heraldo, Armando Jose Ferrao, a farmer, expressed shock at discovering the large
retaining wall being erected in the fields for road widening.
“Despite being the owners of the agricultural land, we received no prior notification or information regarding this issue. Witnessing the construction of a significant retaining wall in our fields, filled with mud, was alarming. Moreover, access to the fields has been blocked,” he stated.
Ferrao noted that the area falls under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations, and thus, the construction is deemed illegal.
“The Town and Country Planning Department has confirmed that no permission was granted for a retaining wall in the fields. Even the officials of the upcoming resort nearby have distanced themselves from the matter. We are perplexed as to how such a massive retaining wall could be built within days without obtaining permission from local authorities,” said John Cota, a concerned citizen.
The incident occurred in the vicinity of Longuinhos Hotel in Colva. Cota further demanded transparency from the Colva village panchayat regarding the issue and urged for the immediate cessation of work, followed by efforts to restore the agricultural land to its original state.
