PONDA: There has been opposition to the proposed power transmission project at Mollem but now the locals appear divided on the issue with Sangod villagers on Wednesday coming out in support of the 400 kv project at a meeting claiming that it will create employment for them, especially the youth.
Of the seven wards in the Mollem Panchayat, Sangod has three wards. Around 70 locals from these three wards held a meeting at Suktholem in the presence of PWD Minister and local MLA Deepak Pauskar.
The villagers and former panch Rajendra Prabudesai said, “90 per cent of the locals mostly youth are unemployed and if they get jobs then the project will provide great relief to us.”
The villagers said, “The Tamnar Power Transmission Company has assured 12 permanent and 80 contractual jobs. If we get these jobs it will help us earn our livelihood. We have no jobs or industries in our area.”
The villagers posed several questions to Pauskar regarding the project.
Addressing media persons after the meeting, the villagers said, “They have to travel to distant places such as Ponda, Marcaim and Kundaim for jobs and most of the salary is spent on travelling. The NGOs opposing this project have no idea of our sufferings and unemployment we are facing. If this project becomes a reality then not only the power supply will improve but also industrial estates will come up in our area providing us with more jobs.”
The project is coming up in 1.15 lakh sq mts area at Suktholem-Sangod. The villagers also demanded that care should be taken to save their agricultural fields while undertaking the project.
They warned that if government or the company fails to honour their promises then they would stage an agitation against the project.
It may be recalled that last month, Mollem villagers had demanded that a special meeting be convened to discuss the project and following protests, the panchayat had fixed the special gram sabha on October 4, which had to be postponed.
Mollem villagers have been opposing the project claiming that it will prove harmful to them.
Last month, tension rent the air at the meeting, which was attended by PWD and Power Ministers under police protection.
