MARGAO: The preparation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public meeting at Kadamba Bus Stand in Margao has stirred controversy as three nearly 70 to 80-year-old trees were felled to make way for development. The overnight tree cutting has sparked anger and frustration among concerned citizens, questioning the environmental impact of such actions despite the emphasis on making Goa green by political leaders.
The trees, which had stood for decades, were cut to create space for a tarred road shoulder at the Kadamba Bus Stand.
The move has not only raised environmental concerns but has also affected the rickshaw and yellow and black motorcycle pilots who relied on the shade provided by the now-felled rain trees, which together had a massive canopy. Critics are questioning the authorities’ decision to cut age-old trees for infrastructure development, especially when citizens often face bureaucratic hurdles to remove even dangerous trees on private property.
Prashant Naik, a local, pointed out that on one hand the government deprives people of their land by classifying regular land as private forests – but has felled age-old trees in the name of preparation for a public meeting. “It takes days and months for a common man to obtain a licence to remove dangerous trees, but these trees have been cut overnight. Who gave them the licence to cut these trees?” he asked.
Dr Babita Angle, former Chairperson of the Margao Municipality asked, “What security threat does a tree pose to the Prime Minister? Rampant concretisation of the green cover is the order of the day and is this approved by the Prime Minister?”
Jose Marie Miranda wanted to know who gives the government the licence to demolish, destroy and fell trees in the name of development. “Whatever is happening is absurd. These were age-old trees. Similarly, several trees were cut during the widening and improvement of the Fatorda and Colva roads,” he lamented.
Security ramped up ahead of PM visit, road digging across South Goa suspended
MARGAO: In preparation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Margao as well as Betul in South Goa, several security measures have been implemented. The five-km radius around the Margao KTC bus stand and ONGC, Betul, set to be visited by the PM on February 6, has been declared a red zone/no-fly zone from February 6-9. The South Goa District Magistrate (DM) has prohibited aerial photography using drone cameras, flying balloons, etc., within this radius under Section 144 of the Cr PC. Exceptions apply to police personnel and government officials on duty, subject to specific conditions.
To ensure smooth movement during the visit, the DM has also prohibited any digging of roads in South Goa district from February 1-8 without written permission from the district collector. Those currently involved in road digging must restore the areas immediately. Police officers are instructed to enforce this order, with violations subject to action under Section 188 IPC.
Furthermore, a high-level security team, including members of the Special Protection Group (SPG), held a meeting at the Margao KTC bus stand with Goa police officials, including South Goa Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Dhania, other SPs, and DySPs from various police stations. The security team is actively assessing security arrangements at the Margao KTC bus stand, the rally venue and subsequent meetings have been planned to finalise security details. SPG operatives are currently accommodated in Margao-based hotels and will remain in the State until the conclusion of the PM’s Goa visit.
