Porvorim Action Committees chief pooh-poohs govt claims

Porvorim Action Committees chief pooh-poohs govt claims
Says nobody is prepared to demolish structures 
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
PORVORIM, JUNE 21
NH17 Porvorim Action Committee Vice Dr Ravi Chodankar has stated that though the government claims that 45 sq mtrs of land would be acquired for road widening for national highway, in reality an additional 5 mtrs setback will have to be left from either side of the road.
Dr Chodankar was speaking at the meeting organized by NH17 Porvorim Action Committee in Azad Bhavan, Porvorim, on Monday evening.
“Though the government claims that 45 sq mtrs of land will be required for widening of national highway, but considering the setback of 5 mtrs to be left from either side of the road, the government will acquire 55 mtrs of land and as such more structures then specified will go in for demolition,” stated Dr Chodankar.
“The proposed highway will render more than 10,000 people unemployed and if government does not pay heed to our suggestions and demands, then the people will be forced to come on the road to get the grievances redressed,” added Dr Chodankar. He further said the government says that 50% of the people from Porvorim are prepared to demolish part of their structures to pave way for widening of the road.
“This is a blatant lie. Nobody will agree for the demolition of their structures, which have been built with their hard-earned money. We are living in democracy and hence people have every right to voice their grievance. The government should not use dictatorial tactics to suppress voices of the people,” said Dr Chodankar.
Corporation of the City of Panjim Councilor Patricia Pinto said Porvorim has now developed into a city and hence it was decided to incorporate it in the City of Panjim in 2002.
“No highway can pass through the city. Porvorim is located almost on the coastal belt and hence government has no right to destroy this coastal city,” voiced Pinto.
Sai Acupuncture Research Centre Director Dr M B Prabhu said if the national highway comes into existence, there will be heavy vehicular traffic in Porvoirm moving at the speed of 120-130 kms per hour.
“The residents will face a lot of difficulties in crossing the roads. Prior to building my Research Centre at Porvorim, I had enquired with the Town and Country Planning and other related departments about the national highway,” he added.
He further said the national highway will not pass through Porvorim and hence he had invested crores of rupees towards purchase of land and construction of Research Centre.
“All my expenditure will go down the drain if my structure is demolished,” said Dr Prabhu.
Committee Advisor Dinesh Vaghela suggested that the action committee should submit a memorandum to the Governor obtaining signatures of the residents of Porvorim.
“Panchayats of Penha de Franca, Socorro, Salvador-do-Mundo and Marra-Pilerne should adopt resolution objecting to the national highway and if the government does not pay heed to the grievances, then people should observe total bandh at least for four hours in a peaceful manner,” said Waghela.
NH17 Porvorim Action Committee Chairperson Fatima D’Sa stated that not only residential and commercial structures, but also religious structures will be demolished if the proposed national highway becomes a reality. “The time has come for the people of all religions, caste and creed to come together and oppose the proposed national highway,” said D’Sa.
Rajaram Parker, Fr Oscar Quadros and Pratima Narvekar also spoke on the occasion.