MARGAO: Fear and anger has erupted in Comba area over a huge land shown in the ODP of Margao as settlement area.
The government has acquired a humongous Comunidade and agricultural land of 7,000 square meters in Comba area and converted it into settlement for a planned rehabilitation of the houses which will be demolished for the completion of the ring road of Margao.
Prominent citizens of Margao and Comba are shell shocked over the conversion and acquisition of a land this huge for a relocation of 20 to 30 houses. Green activists have alleged that this move has been initiated to favour the builder lobby under the garb of relocations and rehabilitation.
The ambitious ring road of Margao has got blocked up for decades together. The ring road is proposed to be built from Colva Circle and further passing from Comba, Cine Lata area and join Ravanfond major on the other end. The ring road was planned to reduce the heavy traffic of Margao. Sadly, the road was constructed till Comba and was shelved to save just three houses on its path.
It was decided to start the work of this ring road only after a proper rehabilitation plan of these 20 to 30 houses. But to the surprise of all, the ODP which was opened five days ago for objections and suggestions showed 7,000 square meters of agricultural comunidade land behind Damodar College proposed for the relocation of these 20-30 houses.
RTI activist from Margao Shriram Raiturkar expressed surprise and also a grave concern on the amount of land which is being acquired for the rehabilitation.
Smelling a rat in the entire acquisition process, Shriram said, “There is a different reason for acquiring this land. Was there a need for acquisition of land this huge for relocation of 20 and 30 houses?”
“What surprises even more is that the relocation and rehabilitation is government subject or policy and there is no need for representing the same in the ODP,” he pondered.
Comba Councillor Ketan Kurtarkar said, “If anyone is making attempts by acquiring this huge land to relocate non-Goans and create his vote bank, then he will have to face dire results of it. We will launch a huge protest if someone attempts it,” warned Ketan Kurtarkar.
He said that Comba area has many poor people who don’t even have enough money and permissions to repair their small houses. “These houses need to be relocated,” Ketan said.
The Salcete Comunidade attorney Constantine Fernandes said that this land was acquired even before him taking charge and that he has no idea about the acquisition process.
