NRI writes to prez, PM over NH17 widening work

MARGAO: Exasperated with the local authorities, like the South Collector and PWD chief engineer, an NRI has written to the President and Prime Minister of India, objecting to the manner in which the work of widening the NH17 Navelim-Jackniband road is taking place.

“Being an NRI, I am unable to fly down to Goa every now and then just because of the high-handedness of the authorities. Despite months passing, I have not received a response from anybody in Goa, except a letter from the Executive Engineer, Div XIV, NH, stating that my property will not be touched. However, I have just come to know that a JCB has illegally entered my property and forcefully started excavating and levelling my land in Survey No 169/1 of the Dramapur panchayat till it was stopped,” said Winston, the complainant.

Winston, a senior citizen, has also complained to the Central Department of Pension and Pensioner’s Welfare and has demanded that an action report be tabled and that whosoever entered his property with the JCB be prosecuted at the earliest.

He alleged that discrepancies were involved in the work of widening the NH-17; he alleged that the work has been done without following the LARR Act, 2013, which Winston added clearly states that prior to any work, land must be acquired and not on just NOCs, and compensation is to be paid. He pointed out that a meagre compensation rate of Rs 2,822 per sq mts was being paid when the land rate in this area was above Rs 20,000 per sq mts.