Team Herald
MARGAO: Tensions are running high in the residential neighborhood of Varca as locals protest against a newly erected mobile tower atop a building in their residential locality.
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Vehemently opposing the tower in the locality, residents claimed that it was a health hazard and demanded that it be dismantled.
According to the locals, the location of a tower in a densely populated area poses significant health risks to the nearby inhabitants. They further added that despite multiple complaints filed with various authorities, including the local panchayat, no action has been initiated till date.
The controversy has deepened after Varca deputy sarpanch Solan Furtado confirmed to the media and the locals, that no official No Objection Certificate (NOC) or permission was granted by the local body for the tower’s installation.
However, the building owner maintains that the tower’s installation fully complies with all necessary guidelines.
In response to the situation, the Salcete Block Development Officer (BDO) has directed the panchayat to take appropriate action based on residents’ complaints. The panchayat has subsequently requested the building owner to produce any existing permissions for the tower’s installation.
The matter is scheduled for discussion at an upcoming panchayat meeting on February 11, with plans to address it further during the next gram sabha meeting.
Residents have suggested that if the company lacks proper NOCs or permissions, the panchayat should consider disconnecting power and other utilities to the tower installation.
