Team Herald
VASCO: The Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim (CAC) gram sabha raised serious concerns over the increasing coal dust pollution in the villages, besides discussing the declassification of the coconut tree, developmental works, and wells.
On the coal pollution issue, members claimed that South Western Railway (SWR) freight wagons were overloaded with coal, which was not properly covered, and during transportation, the cargo spilled all along the track. As a result, they stated, those living near the railway tracks had been breathing dusty air.
“The coal dust pollution caused by overloaded SWR freight wagons plying through the village has increased extensively. It is the panchayat’s duty to take up this issue with SWR and Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to curb the same,” said Dr Marconi Correia.
Sarpanch Filomena D’Mello assured to write to GSPCB asking for its report on coal dust pollution, following which the panchayat would take up the issue with SWR.
On the declassification of the coconut tree, Correia remarked that the persons involved in the same were “typical bondo”. He said that every part of the coconut tree is useful to Goans and urged the government to adopt the ideas and principles of the Kerala Coconut Board.
The gram sabha also raised serious concerns over development works that were proposed without taking the village development committee into confidence.
Sheela Gracious and Simon D’Souza, while objecting to the proposals, asked the sarpanch to first hold a meeting with the committee and then place the proposals before the gram sabha.
Arossim locals also claimed that Kashmiris were starting businesses beside the road to Arossim beach without the consent of the gram sabha. They claimed that the issue was serious and suggested that the panchayat investigate whether any panchas were involved in the same.
The gram sabha was also informed that the panchayat had received two administrative notifications. The first notification was to inform the villagers that all wells and bore wells in the village needs to be registered before the Water Resources Department soon, failing which the owner would be fined.
The second notification was about a list of wells that were found to be contaminated during a recent survey conducted by the Goa State Council for Science and Technology. The villagers were also informed that waters samples were recently collected from all the wells in the village and that water from seven wells were found to be contaminated.
Mecla D’Silva proposed that a bypass road be constructed behind the St Thomas Church cemetery. The proposal was put to a vote and defeated.
