Voicing strong concerns about the proposed large-scale residential and commercial project’s impact on Carambolim, the villagers on Sunday staged a protest demanding that the panchayat immediately issue a stop-work notice and review the approvals granted to the project.
The proposed project currently underway in the village, spans over 13,000 square metres, including 84 flats, 46 shops, and a swimming pool,
Speaking to reporters Adv Bhuvneshwar Fatarpekar, a panch member said, “Though the panchayat has already issued a construction licence, we are opposing the project because the flats, priced between Rs 50 and Rs 60 lakh, are unaffordable for locals. This clearly targets outsiders, which will lead to an influx of non-locals, diluting our village’s identity and culture.”
He said, “The swimming pool alone will require at least 60,000 litres of water, while the residential units would demand around one lakh litres. There is no plan for water resource management, garbage disposal, or parking. We are already facing a shortage of water and irregular electricity supply.”
Fatarpekar also questioned the legality of the project’s commercial component. “The sanad issued is only for residential use. How are commercial complexes being allowed?”
Deputy Sarpanch Reshma Balram Murgaokar said, “When the project came up for approval, I objected to it. I still don’t understand how the NOC was granted. Now I’m being told the project doesn’t fall in my ward, so I cannot intervene.”
A villager remarked, “It doesn’t matter which ward it comes under. What matters is that it’s being built in our village and will destroy it. We are already struggling with water and electricity — how will we cope with a project of this scale?”
Villagers of Varca at the recent gram sabha objected to large-scale construction projects, particularly a proposed 230-room resort, raising concerns about the potential strain these developments could place on the village’s limited resources, including water, electricity, waste management, and sewage systems.
During the meeting, the locals urged the panchayat not to approve any mega project that could disrupt the village’s social and environmental balance.
They also held the panchayat accountable for not conducting an extraordinary gram sabha to specifically deliberate on these mega projects and assess the village’s carrying capacity due to the absence of a resource person.
Sarpanch Flavia Barreto acknowledged these concerns and agreed to hold the extraordinary meeting.
Villagers insisted that this meeting not be delayed further, urging the panchayat to prioritise the issue and act with urgency.
Sarpanch Barreto reassured the villagers that the panchayat stands with them and will thoroughly review all project proposals.
She clarified that while final approvals are granted by the Town Planning Department; the panchayat can withhold support if there are irregularities in the required documents and will seek legal advice before proceeding with any such applications.
A special gram sabha has now been scheduled for August 24 which is expected to address illegal roadside constructions as per court directives and to take a structured approach to future development in Varca based on the village’s carrying capacity and residents’ concerns.
Among other issues, it was decided that garbage tax will only be collected from commercial establishments and tenants, not residents.
A contractor will be appointed to collect household waste, clean roadsides, and address black spots, with waste being sent to the Cacora project.
Amid rising incidents of theft and concerns over drug addiction among youth, it was announced that all migrants residing in the village will be registered through a dedicated app. Any unregistered individual found moving around will face action. The panchayat also plans to install CCTV cameras and request increased day and night police patrolling.
The issue of non-functional street lights was discussed, and the sarpanch stated that a letter would be sent to the Electricity Department.
The meeting also saw a brief tension when a resident made personal remarks against Panch Ronaldo Fernandes regarding ration cards.
Fernandes objected, and Sarpanch Flavia intervened, declaring that personal criticisms and resolutions would not be permitted in future gram sabhas.
The locals claim though the panchayat has issued a construction licence, they are opposed to the project because the flats, priced between Rs 50 and Rs 60 lakh, are unaffordable.
Allege the project will lead to an influx of non-locals and diluting the village’s identity and culture
Charge that the swimming pool alone will require at least 60,000litres of water, while the residential units would demand around one lakh litres
Complain there is no plan for water resource management, garbage disposal, or parking
Claim sanad issued is only for residential use
Question how are commercial complexes being allowed?
When the project came up for approval, I objected to it. I still don’t understand how the NOC was granted. Now I’m being told the project doesn’t fall in my ward, so I cannot intervene
– Reshma Balram Murgaokar,Deputy Sarpanch
Fatarpekar also questioned the legality of the project’s commercial component. “The sanad issued is only for residential use. How are commercial complexes being allowed?”
Deputy Sarpanch Reshma Balram Murgaokar said, “When the project came up for approval, I objected to it. I still don’t understand how the NOC was granted. Now I’m being told the project doesn’t fall in my ward, so I cannot intervene.”
A villager remarked, “It doesn’t matter which ward it comes under. What matters is that it’s being built in our village and will destroy it.
We are already struggling with water and electricity — how will we cope with a project of this scale?”