Team Herald
PERNEM: A massive hill cutting has been undertaken by the government at Morjim for tourism development.
The road to Morjim runs between two hills and the entry point of the village is known as Khind. It is at this area where a tourism development project is being undertaken by the department of tourism, a government agency.
The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 6 crore, which includes a jetty, garden, cafeteria, yoga centre, security protection booth, changing rooms, toilets, water sports activities, family sitting spot and picnic spot. Hill will be developed as spiritual place.
This project is executed under the Swadesh Darshan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi under which Rs 100 crore has been sectioned to Goa by the Central government. Out of the grant, Rs 9 crore allocated for development of Morjai temple and Khind.
To develop the Khind for the tourism project, the hills on both the sides are being cut and deposited on the banks of Chapora River.
Morjim Sarpanch Anuradha Morje said, “Khind area falls under Morjim jurisdiction but no NOC has been taken from the panchayat for this project. The tourism department didn’t even bother to send a notice to the panchayat informing about this project. Since the area being developed is Morjai temple property, the temple authorities have given permission for it.”
A part of the hill is owned by the Morjai Temple whose authorities have given NOC for this project.
When contacted, Morjai temple President Gopal Shetgaonkar said, “We have given NOC to this project for the betterment of village. This project will generate employment for the locals. Panchayat NOC is not required since it is a temple property.”
On the allegation that the mud from hill cutting is being dumped along the Chapora River bank, he said that the mud is dumped to replace the soil washed away in floods.
On the shops that are facing demolition, he said, “The shops running there are illegal and we don’t mind we these shops are demolished to give way for the project. It is the property of temple and we are not taking responsibility of rehabilitating them.”
