CALANGUTE: A resident of Arpora has filed a police complaint accusing Calangute MLA Michael Lobo of constructing a road in his property.
In his complaint, Anthony R D’Souza told the Anjuna police inspector of the illegal soling and asphalting of the pathway in his property at Mainath Bhatti, Arpora, allegedly at the behest of MLA Lobo and the Arpora-Nagoa Panchayat members to suit the interest of a builder.
D’Souza demanded that an FIR be filed against the MLA, panchayat members and the contractor.
Speaking to media persons at the site, D’Souza stated that the Calangute MLA was forcibly constructing a road in his property for the builder without his knowledge and permission.
“The survey plan clearly shows a pathway, but Lobo and the Arpora-Nagoa Panchayat are forcibly constructing the road in the interest of the builder without any approvals. When we tried to intervene and stop the road, the MLA told us to approach the court,” claimed D’Souza.
“If the elected representative talks to us arrogantly like this, then to who are we to approach for justice? Today, the road is being tarred and tomorrow they will increase the width of the road to suit the interest of the builders’ lobby,” said D’Souza.
Defending his decision, Lobo, who was personally supervising the road at the site, said, “We are asphalting the existing road shown on the survey plan and do not require any NOC from the owners. It is being done in the interest of the locals through the GSIDC which is developing roads in Arpora village and we are trying to connect the road to the main road near the Hindu crematorium for smooth flow of traffic. We are not increasing the width of the road but have only raised the level of the road.”
When asked if the road has all approvals or work order, Lobo said, “We have the work order for the road and it is part of the continuous project of roads in Arpora.”
Arpora-Nagoa Panch Agostinho D’Souza said, “We will be connecting the road to the main road near the Hindu crematorium for smooth flow of traffic during peak season.”
Arpora-Nagoa Deputy Sarpanch Joseph Fernandes, Panchas Sakharam Naik, Roshan Redkar and Cleophas Fernandes were also present at the site.
Meanwhile, Calangute Panch Joseph Sequeira has criticised Lobo for pushing ahead with roadwork despite objections from the locals.
“Villagers from Arpora approached me for help and intervention in the matter. I was surprised that Lobo is forcing a road against the wishes of the locals and in the interest of builders,” Sequeira told Herald.
