QUEPEM: The residents of Mirabag in Sanvordem Panchayat area gathered in large numbers and voiced their opposition to the Water Resources Department’s (WRD) proposed project of constructing Rs 280 crore bhandara across the river at Mirabag.
They accused the panchayat of keeping them in the dark by not taking them into confidence while discussing the project.
The residents said that they had some doubts about the project and sought to know whether the same would benefit the village.
Dhana Naik , a local, said, “The local panch members should have taken us into confidence, but they failed to do so. This created doubts and we fear that this project will pose a threat to our village and us in the future. And due to this reason, a large number of people gathered to oppose the project.
Another resident Sumit Naik said, “We had no idea about this bhandara project and when we sought to know the details about the same, our panch member said that he is not aware of it. Earlier, we had convened a meeting in the village to discuss the project. All the villagers gathered but the local panchayat members remained absent. We suspected something fishy and raised doubts on this Rs 280 crore project.”
Yogesh Naik, a resident, said, “We have opposed this project because it will not benefit our village.”
Panch member Sanjay Naik said “The locals will be taken into confidence and if they oppose this project, I will back them.”
Sanvordem Sarpanch Chinmayi Naik said, “There was a meeting in the panchayat regarding the project and since it is a government project, we agreed to this proposal in the presence of the all panch members to take it forward.”
Local MLA Ganesh Gaonkar said, “Before considering this project, we need to discuss the next step of placing a digital plan before the villagers. If this project is beneficial to the village, the locals will be taken into confidence and we will take the proposal forward. But if the locals are against it then you have my full support.”
