MARGAO: Benaulim villagers have called for a stay on the western bypass work and have resolved to form a committee that will seek support from other affected villages, like Seraulim, Navelim, Nuvem and Verna.
The western bypass was hotly debated at the gram sabha, where locals raised concerns about how the levelling of low-lying fields and the western bypass route, which will pass water bodies, could cause flooding. They pointed out that several areas in the village suffer water-logging during the monsoons and that the situation could lead to a disaster this monsoon.
The newly-formed committee comprising of panchas and gram sabha members will hold its first public meeting on Wednesday evening at the Dando grounds.
Some villagers said that they were not opposed to the bypass entirely, but the gram sabha had passed a resolution in the past against the bypass and that the work was being executed in a hurried manner without carrying out an environment impact assessment.
While they raised points regarding the dumping of tonnes of garbage in low-lying areas and the route passing through Seraulim and Khareband, they felt that it would block the free flow of storm water and that it would affect the biodiversity hotspots in the area.
The people demanded that a detailed study be done and that the work be stopped till they get EIA clearances. They also advised the panchayat to approach forums like the NGT if required and to form an ‘ekvott’ with other affected panchayats.
The gram sabha also discussed the issue of mobile towers. The sarpanch informed that the panchayat had not issued permission for mobile towers and that inspections would be carried out at mobile tower sites in the village, besides issuing a show-cause notice.
Villagers felt that permissions could be granted only after government agencies like the Goa State Pollution Control Board certifies the mobile towers and addressed concerns like radiation.
Some gram sabha members also sought the government’s intervention to protect the local interest in the tourism industry. This was regarding the recent NGT order against shacks that has been challenged.
The gram sabha also called for the demolition of the illegal houses at Tolleabandh. The panchayat informed that the house owners had lost their court case and were given a deadline to provide documents and clearances from TCP regarding its regularisation. The deadline is soon to expire.
While the panchayat said it would carry out the demolition after the deadline expired, the villagers criticised how this case had dragged since 2003 and questioned the competence of the panchayat lawyer. They also demanded that the panchayat appoint a new advocate.
Members also demanded that development in and around the village, such as building roads and laying pipelines, be referred to the panchayat. They further asked the panchayat to seek clarity on the matter from the government, including the chief secretary, and that all permissions be given by the panchayat.
The TCP and Director of Panchayats’ role in granting permissions for a multi-dwelling unit, which the gram sabha had led a mass agitation against a decade ago, was discussed. The villagers asked the panchayat to seek a judicial view on the matter. Pointing out that the access to the road did not comply with the provisions of the law, the locals questioned how the government could have granted permission and pressurised the panchayat for the same.
