ASSAGAO: Intensifying their agitation against all those involved in permitting the construction of a mega project near the age-old spring in Oxel, locals on Saturday gathered at the construction site, demanding that the panchayat issue a stop-work order on the grounds that the road is only 4.5 metres wide, in contrast to the building licence granted for construction on a 15-metre wide road.
Following a flurry of complaints from around 220 residents, and agitations against the controversial construction, the Oxel Sarpanch along with other panchayat officials on Saturday called for a site inspection. Prior to this inspection, a villager, Suraj Chodancar, had obtained evidence through the Right to Information Act, which according to convenor of Goa Green Brigade Avertino Miranda, “is enough to nail the builder”.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
According to the RTI reply, approval had been given to the project on the basis of the road width, stating that it is a 15-metre wide road.
The panchayat officials on Saturday arrived at the spot to measure the road width and it was found that the road, all along the project, ranges between 4.1 and 4.5 metres wide. This proved that the RTI reply was blatantly misleading, with villagers alleging that wrong information had been furnished on purpose. The locals gathered expressed disappointment over the fact that the panchayat was granting licences without first verifying the ground reality.
It was also pointed out that there was a cemetery and crematorium close by and this was also in violation of the construction norms. Also, it was pointed out that the builder has constructed the compound wall on a nullah.
Sarpanch Reshal Arporkar, who was present during the inspection, tried to pacify the villagers. “ I could do only what was within my powers and many a times such builders challenge panchayat orders. While giving the licence, the panchayat had laid down a set of rules for the builder to follow, but he has not done so,” Arporkar said.
Pointing out that there are gross discrepancies in the documentation work of the project, locals insisted that the Sarpanch issue a stop work order within the next 24 hours, and if the panchayat fails to act by Monday, the villagers have threatened to again take to the streets in protest.
