PANJIM: Water Resources Minister Vinod Palyekar stated that no construction licenses for mega projects and buildings in Anjuna panchayat will be issued until a master plan is drawn. The minister said this step was being taken to solve the growing problem of water shortage and garbage issues in the area.
“Anjuna is a part of my constituency and in the last few years a lot of huge projects have been built and with this the area faces water shortage problems along with garbage issues. Especially in the months of April-May there is a huge water problem and without solving these two main problems I feel that no new permissions should be granted and in this regard I have already spoken to the TCP minister,” Palyekar said.
He added, “It is also seen that whenever an engineer goes to Anjuna for issue of a new water connection the locals agitate and in some cases even beat up the engineer. If there is water shortage from where will big projects get water, which is why I urge the TCP Minister to stop giving new permissions, maybe for the next five year and after that if the situation changes then we might think,” he said
However, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai said that planned development is needed in Anjuna and when the MLA says there is unplanned development in that area it is a fact.
“There are illegal colonies which are mushrooming and there is no sewerage and garbage management and if this is not done then the entire area can go haywire. As TCP Minister it my duty to see that land development happens everywhere, particularly in areas which are of touristic importance. Anjuna being the heart of the touristic area of Goa and with the local MLA also calling for a planned development then we have to halt in between,” Sardesai said.
“There is a lot of scope for planning and we should try to see that we utilise it and try to harness the potential of that place,” he added.
