Team Herald
VASCO: The resident of Baina on Friday staged a protest n against the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) over the installation of a compound and gates at the entry and exit ramps of the loop flyover.
Locals including Mormugao councillor Deepak Naik protested near the gate and gave the MPA an ultimatum of eight days to dismantle the gates. They also submitted a memorandum to the Mormugao Deputy Collector, demanding immediate action against the gates.
Naik warned that the residents of Baina will take matters into their own hands and demolish the gates themselves if the gates are not removed within next eight days.
Recalling the transformation of Baina from its past as a red-light area under the BJP government in 2004, he said that the people of Baina always supported the government which also saw major development in the area. He said that the Baina beach and the port connectivity flyover had become a tourist attraction. But after the inauguration of a new link arm providing access to the flyover by the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the MPA immediately began constructing gates and compound walls in the area, thereby restricting our the movement of the people.
“This is unacceptable and we will not allow MPA to erect gates. If the authorities continue to ignore our concerns, we will be left with no option but to act and demolish it,” Naik said.
He said that Vasco MLA Krishna ‘Daji’ Salkar and Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar had met the MPA Chairman and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to resolve the issue. But for the last one month no action has been taken and the locals are facing difficulties.
The Mormugao Municipal Council and Mormugao Deputy Collector too, had not taken any steps, he rued.