Team Herald
ASSAGAO: Tensions ran high in Assagao on Monday when local residents, led by Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo and Assagao Sarpanch Hanumant Naik, confronted engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Water Resources Department (WRD) over the approval granted for a controversial mega project in Ward II of the
Village Panchayat.
The project, which involves the construction of a luxury housing complex, has faced significant opposition from the local community due to its location in an area with thick vegetation. A central concern is the proposed construction of a culvert over the main Assagao Nullah, a vital watercourse
in the village.
The village panchayat had initially rejected the approval for the culvert, prompting the project developers to appeal the decision to the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Bardez. The BDO upheld the panchayat's refusal, but the matter was subsequently brought before the Director of Panchayats, where approval was granted.
The local panchayat has strongly objected to this decision, and the case is now pending in the High Court after an appeal was filed against the panchayat’s original ruling. Sarpanch Hanumant Naik expressed concern over the approval granted by WRD Executive Engineer Milind Gaude to construct the culvert. "We had met the Minister last year and the then WRD executive engineer Nazareth Vaz revoked all earlier permissions but the new executive engineer has granted approval despite the fact that the PWD has not given an approval for the construction of the culvert, especially since the width of the main road is just three metres,” he informed.
Executive Engineer Gaude, who was present during the confrontation, confirmed that the approval was given but explained that it was necessary due to the High Court’s monitoring of the case. He warned that failure to comply with the court’s directives could result in departmental officials facing contempt charges. This justification was strongly rejected by the sarpanch, who insisted that the local community's concerns about the potential disruption of the Assagao Nullah's water flow should take precedence.
A group of concerned villagers voiced their objections to WRD officials, warning that altering the flow of the nullah could lead to flooding during the monsoon. They urged the departments to reconsider the approval and act in the best interests of the community. PWD Assistant Engineer (Roads) Valentino Sequeira, who was also present, clarified that no file regarding the culvert’s approval had been submitted to his office, and he indicated that such approval could not have been granted without proper processes.
Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo lent her support to the villagers' concerns and emphasized the importance of considering the local population's grievances. She urged the engineers to take immediate action to address the issues raised. Lobo further assured the residents that she would escalate the matter to higher authorities, including WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and arrange a meeting to discuss the issue at a higher level.