The Electricity Department in Mapusa has issued No Objection Certificates for power supply to fabrication, carpentry workshops, beauty parlours, grocery stores, chicken, mutton outlets, laundries, garages, washing stations and hotels which have mushroomed in Sangolda, Guirim and Arpora. The result mud has been dumped and several illegal structures have flourished in the lush green fields by the roadside here at the cost of nature. The establishments then release waste into the fields thus polluting water bodies.
The Electricity Department officials who basically make the common man run from pillar to post inorder to avail a licence for a legal residential house constructed by locals seem to be more than generous to bless illegalities galore in the prime fields.
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Looks like the power department officials are following into the footsteps of the Town and Country Planning Department which is in the news for allegedly allowing builders to construct on slopes. If the power department goes on recklessly issuing licences to such illegalities then the whole green village will probably turn into stone. The linemen from the area and the Engineers should be pulled up for abetting in the illegalties. One fails to understand as to how several connections are given to such controversial structures and that too even in a single field. This amounts to power theft and a loss to the public exchequer. Is it pecuniary benefits that make the authorities sell mother earth for thirty pieces of silver?
People always loved to travel through Sangolda once upon a time as the village would offer feast to the eyes with its green cover. Today it’s turning into stone.
The panchayats too are also responsible for the mess with some panchas also among the list of violators. The Honourable High Court should pull up all those responsible for the illegalities in the fields and restore the land to its original state. The public pins hope only on the Court when authorities fail. Will the Mapusa and Porvorim AEs please act before the issues go out of hand?
