They complained that the builder was constructing a commercial project close to the river and adjacent to their cultivated fields. In fact, he had already laid stones in the fields for constructing a wall.
The Flying Squad and Velim MLA Benjamin Silva were soon called to inspect the site. The Flying Squad officials asked the builder to stop all activities until further notice and to report to the Collector’s office with the project’s documents.
Silva said it was surprising to see that the work of the builder had gone unchecked given the amount of destruction it was causing. He said, “It is the destruction of nature. I am with the people, and we won’t allow such things to happen in our village. This is the traditional way for water. How can the builder fill it?”
Locals alleged that half of the tributary – a traditional waterway channel locally known as ‘uttornem’ – had been filled without taking any permission from the authorities. CMC officials also denied giving any permission. The CMC and Water Resource Department later inspected this site and assured locals that they would not allow the work.
