PORVORIM: Villagers of Penha de Franca on Monday gheraoed the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (GSIDC) authorities and consultant for closing the only access road to Ward No. 5.
The residents of Ward No. 5 of Penha de Franca and Porvorim gheraoed the GSIDC authorities, consultant for closing the only access road to Ward No. 5 of Penha De Franca due to the on-going work of proposed High Court project at Porvorim.
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The villagers informed that earlier in April 2020, the authorities had assured the villagers that they will be provided with new access road before going ahead with blocking of traditional pathway.
However, on Monday, the villagers received a notice from the Collector stating that their access will be blocked for two months. Vigilant villagers along with local MLA Rohan Khaunte then gheraoed the GSIDC authorities at the project site and stopped the authorities from blocking the access road.
The villagers questioned the authorities about the access road to the ward and demanded with the authorities to make provision for access road and only then go ahead with closing of present access.
They further informed that if the access to the ward is blocked, there will be no road for people’s movement as well as for emergency vehicles such as ambulance, fire and water tankers to enter into the residential area.
Meanwhile, local MLA Khaunte said, “Work of this project commenced in 2015-16 and from the beginning, the people have cooperated for the project. However, now due to no proper coordination of GSIDC and the consultant, the consultant was about to close the only access road for two months as per the notice issued by the Collector.”
“There are senior citizens, children, working people residing in here. Also if the road is closed, then emergency vehicles such as ambulance, fire and water tankers will not be able to enter in which is a major concern. Earlier in April 2020, the issue was raised and suggestions were given but till date the authorities have not taken any action to improvise the access for the people,” the MLA said.
