FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
Team Herald
PONDA: Ahead of Mollem gram sabha scheduled on October 4 to discuss the proposed 400 kv power transmission project, tension prevailed in the village on Saturday during a meeting between PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar, Power Minister Nilesh Cabral, the villagers and other officials wherein in police had to intervene at times to maintain law and order.
Earlier, Pauskar and Cabral said the proposed 400 kv power transmission project would come up at Sangod-Mollem only. The project would benefit the State as it would create 100 jobs for the locals, but the villagers voiced their opposition claiming that the project would lead to felling of trees and prove harmful.
Demanding that the project be shifted elsewhere, the locals said if project is not harmful then the engineers should give them in writing.
The meeting was held in the Mahadev Temple hall at Makadye, Mollem. Sarpanch and panchas were also present. PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar said the project would come up at Sangod and would benefit the locals as jobs will be created.
He said, “The project is not harmful and not a single bird will die. The power transmission line coming from Karnataka will have its substation at Mollem which will be distributed to Xeldem and Mapusa. Some social activists are unnecessary creating an issue out of it just to oppose the project.”
Power Minister Nilesh Cabral said, “The project is important to improve electricity in Goa and to meet the power requirements of Goans who are facing frequent power outages.”
Upset over Cabral’s previous statement to media persons that some anti-social elements are opposing the project, the locals insisted that the minister name those persons. The police intervened and controlled the situation. Cabral said, “Those locals whose land is acquired for power project will be compensated.”
Engineer of Tanmar company Pickle said “We have Forest Department’s permission to cut the trees. We will plant around 10,000 trees at various places.”
