VASCO: About 10 families residing near Desterro-Vasco have urged the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the government, to give them some more time to find alternative residence, as their children are answering their exams.
It may be recalled that the NHAI served the residents of Desterro a notice of demolition of their houses which fall within the four-lane highway. NHAI will demolish the houses on April 15.
Addressing a news conference, the family members said it would be very difficult for them to find a place and shift as the landlord will demand high rent and it will also hamper the studies of their children.
The aggrieved families said the landlord who used to charge Rs 3,000 as rent just a few months ago is now demanding a rent of Rs 5,000 for a small house.
“Though the officials of the National Highways had measured our houses when they visited last, they failed to provide an alternative accommodation,” said a resident, Sameer Khan.
“Surprisingly, despite the National Highways abandoning the four-lane highway which is passing through Desterro as they are constructing the flyover from Ravindra Bhavan to the port, they are trying to demolish our houses for no reason,” added Khan.
Another resident said the quarters allotted to some families by Goa Rehabilitation Board (GRB) do not have bedroom and separate bathroom and it was becoming difficult for women to either go for bath or change clothes. “What is even worse is that the neighbours opposite can directly see into the rooms through their windows, and there is no privacy for any family,” said an elderly woman.
In a memorandum submitted to the Governor, chief minister, local MLA and power minister and other stakeholders, M K Abdulla along with Prakash Sadiya, Shantabai Jadav, Vithal Girap, Agnelo Almeida, Shashikala Ramchandra Godmani, Shamir Khan, Vesant Pednekar and Adamshah Makandar residing near Desterro stated that though the GRB had assured rehabilitation, they are not allotted a quarter at Headland Sada till date.
“We have been staying near Desterro for over 40 years and our request for compensation instead of premises has fallen on deaf ears of the authority,” said Abdulla.
In case of demolition of their houses by the NHAI, the residents on humanitarian grounds have urged the government to provide them an alternative accommodation and keep the demolition process on hold till October 2015.
“Though the officials of the National Highways had measured our houses when they visited last, they failed to provide an alternative accommodation. Surprisingly, despite the National Highways abandoning the four-lane highway which is passing through Desterro as they are constructing the flyover from Ravindra Bhavan to the port, they are trying to demolish our houses for no reason,” said a resident, Sameer Khan
