CALANGUTE: The ruling BJP MLA Michael Lobo might have temporarily held back bringing Candolim and Calangute under Outline Development Plan (ODP) but this did not help him gain the confidence of the locals, who have categorically opposed the plan.
They apprehend that once the two village panchayats get ODP status it will be converted into municipalities, an attempt which they have been opposing for more than four decades. Instead, they demand implementing the Regional Plan that was originally drafted after taking into confidence all the wards, professionals and other stakeholders.
“The villagers of Candolim and Calangute are totally against the formation of Planning and Development Authority. None of us are in favour of ODPs. This is nothing but a backdoor entry to convert the two panchayats into a municipality. The MLA (Michael Lobo) should not fool the people” Joseph Sequeira, panch member of Calangute village pnchayat told this reporter.
The residents fear that in the name of development, the villages will be given into the hands of builders for complete concretization. Ex-legislator of Calangute constituency Tomazinho Cardozo has called for ban on construction for at least one decade.
“We can’t afford more development. The two villages have already witnessed unplanned development over last many years. The subsequent village panchayats are to be blamed for this but nevertheless, we don’t want to lose its sanctity any further,” Cardozo, who also has to his credit of being one of the longest serving Sarpanchas, opined.
Interestingly, Sequeira, once a staunch supporter of Lobo during the previous elections has now turned into his rival. Cardozo feels that their enmity has led to people suffering on all fronts. “The sufferers are the locals,” he commented adding that political misunderstanding between the two should not affect the coastal villages.
Another local and sitting panch member of Candolim village panchayat Fermina Fernandes agrees ODPs are meant only for the municipalities and Candolim is still at a developing stage. “Candolim village is already saturated,” he added.
Similarly, Domnick Fernandes, former Candolim Sarpanch and two-time panch member has suggested conducting a proper study to find out whether ODPs will be better than RP and accordingly take a decision. He recalled that during his tenure the panchayat had opposed it being a municipality.
The locals have another point of argument that the government should have kept the ODPs open for scrutiny. Lobo, who has come under severe criticism, is quoted as saying that he does not intend to force any decision on the people and that he is aware of the pros and cons of ODPs.
