Team Herald
MARGAO: A proposed eight-villa development in Betalbatim, each villa with its own swimming pool, triggered strong opposition from locals, with locals concerned that the project would overburden the village’s strained resources. Residents argued that such developments, often initiated by “outsiders,” could worsen existing issues with water supply, waste management, and infrastructure.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
At a site inspection, villagers voiced objections to the plan, pointing out that Betalbatim does not have a 24×7 water supply to meet even local needs. Considering the village already houses over a dozen swimming pools, the potential addition of more pools, which would require about 500 cubic metres of water, was called out as unsustainable. Residents questioned how officials could justify such water-demanding projects in a community already dealing with scarcity.
Speaking to reporters, local resident Savio Rodrigues, expressed the mismatch of approving projects with swimming pools when locals experience water scarcity. “It’s difficult to understand how our village can sustain such projects when residents are already struggling with water shortage. Why should villagers face scarcity just to meet the excessive water requirements of these new villas?” he said.
Villagers highlighted other infrastructure concerns, including the strain on garbage collection, power supply, and roads.
