CALANGUTE: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar stated that the controversial bus bay and Calangute Association to Khobra Vaddo, Calangute road widening works will be given to GSIDC, while an amicable solution is being explored between the warring factions.
Speaking during his visit to Candolim, Parrikar said initially, tarring of road will be done and after following due process of land acquisition, related works of footpath, etc, will be taken up on war footing.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo expressed happiness over the development and said: “The road widening works at Calangute Association to Charlston Hotel, Khobra Vaddo will be taken up through GSIDC without hurting the sentiments of the locals and destroying their structures. The carpet width of the widened road will be 8-10 mts and nobody will be forced to part away with their land. We are for planned development and nothing will be done haphazardly,” he assured.
Panch Joseph Sequeira said the Calangute VP wants to do the development of road widening at Calangute Association to Charlston Hotel, Khobra Vaddo site besides the bus bay.
“If the work is entrusted to GSIDC, then they should do the entire development including 2 mts footpath, 10 mts roads, 3 mts service bay for vehicles, especially goods vehicles, otherwise we will stop the development,” stated Sequeira.
“No tarring of road will be allowed at all cost even if it means inconvenience to locals and tourists. There is a clear-cut directive from TCP to set aside 7.5 metres set back area which can be utilized for the purpose. Why is the Calangute MLA objecting to our development,” he questioned.
Referring to 7.5 metres set back area, Lobo said: “The directive is for the builders and big constructions, but what about the locals whose houses would come in way of the development.”
“Are we going to demolish their houses and do the development? The haphazard development has to stop in the interest of locals and poor people,” he said.
