GUIRIM: The Flying Squad inspection report has revealed no violation of 17(A) found with regards to the road being constructed through the field at Agniwado, Guirim. The matter has further been referred to the Deputy Collector, Mapusa for illegal conversion. An official from the flying squad claimed that the same is not a violation of the provisions of Section 17 (A) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1974 and the rules and other regulations.
It may be recalled that the flying squad visited the site on Thursday and conducted panchanama. The contractor failed to furnish the documents and permissions.
Locals alleged that this is agricultural land belonging to the comunidade and is being used for other purpose without a conversion sanad.
Deputy Collector Flying squad, Amir Parab informed Herald that the matter has been further referred to Deputy Collector, Mapusa for illegal conversion.
“The surveyor told me it is a very thin layer so it will not attract 17 (A) of the TCP Act and land filling. The length of this road is 140 metres, breadth 6 metres and height 35 centimetres. Above 90 cm height is considered as violation. The team visited the site again on Friday. However, no permission copies have been submitted by the people at the site. Since it is a construction work we are forwarding the matter to the Deputy Collector, Mapusa,” he said.
“We will write to them that a road is being constructed and ask them to enquire about the conversion. We are also attaching a checklist along with this letter so that they can take appropriate action. The panchayat should look into this matter if the concerned person does not have the required work order and stop it,” Parab added.
The president of the Comunidide of Guirim, Tulio de Sousa said, “The activity of constructing a road through a field without proper documentation, in the absence of any panchayat resolution to that effect appears to be illegal and not in public interest. It is very sad we are killing whatever is left of our agriculture by destroying our fields and is a potential threat to flooding in the area.”
“Public roads are to be constructed either by the panchayat or the PWD generally. I call upon the panchayat of Guirim to explain who is constructing this road and if so, who has given permissions for the same otherwise as per the latest amendment to Section 33 (3) of the Goa Land Revenue Code any person who has undertaken land filling in any low lying area, such a land must be immediately restored to its original position,” Tulio demanded.
