Deputy Collector Shubham Naik, along with officials from various departments, on Wednesday inspected the ongoing mobile tower construction near the sports ground at Mardol, following strong objections from local residents and the sports club.
After the inspection, Naik directed the company concerned to keep the construction work pending and to explore the possibility of an alternate location on government land. The government has taken serious note of the objections raised by villagers and local sports groups against the mobile tower being erected close to the sports ground at Cuncoliem, Mardol.
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During the inspection, locals informed officials that the site where the company had begun excavation work was very close to the ground and did not comply with the required norms. After reviewing the situation, the Deputy Collector instructed the company to halt construction and suggested that officials consider relocating the tower to a hilly area in Mardol, away from the playground and residential locality.
It may be recalled that last month, residents noticed the commencement of tower work on the ground and immediately opposed it. They subsequently lodged a formal complaint on October 13 with the Ponda Deputy Collector. Local MLA Govind Gaude has also publicly extended his support to the villagers’ opposition.
Meanwhile, the Veling-Priol-Kuncoliem Panchayat, in its recent gram sabha meeting, passed a resolution not to permit the construction of mobile towers close to schools, old temples, or residential areas. The panchayat also instructed the Sports Department to verify whether suitable government land could be identified for tower installation.
Present during Wednesday’s inspection were the Mamlatdar, BDO, Mardol Police Inspector, officials from the Education and Sports Departments, the Secretary of the Veling-Priol-Kuncoliem Panchayat, representatives of the tower company and the local sports club, along with a large number of villagers.
