Gauresh SATTARKAR
SANGUEM: Illegal land-filling has reared its ugly head again in Goa’s hinterlands. A recent case of a road being constructed through paddy fields near the main Sanguem-Curchorem road in Cortali, Uguem Sanguem, has raised multiple questions about procedural lapses and unclear permissions.
Classified as Survey Number 27/34, the field that features a natural rivulet flowing year-round, was being filled up to build the road, but the work was halted by the Deputy Collector of Sanguem after a complaint was filed by local resident Santano
Rodrigues.
Curiously, locals alleged that the debris used in the land-filling was actually brought from the demolished Sanguem Town Hall. Now, questions are being asked about who will be responsible for removing the soil that has already been filled in the area?
Local resident Yeshwant Naik from Uguem highlighted the issue, stating, “The land-filling has been done to construct a road, and to do so, debris from the recently demolished Sanguem Town Hall has been dumped
in the field.”
He also criticised the practice of contractors filling agricultural lands without proper authorisation.
Naik also noted that small trees in the surrounding wetlands had been “butchered mercilessly” during the process. “I asked the Talati about this, and he replied that reports had been sent to higher authorities. But the big question is whether the soil will remain in the field or be removed,” he said.
The residents are now demanding that strict action be taken against those responsible for the illegal land-filling, particularly the contractor involved in the work. Many have pointed out that action should have been taken at the onset of the project, questioning why the local Panchayat failed to intervene earlier. “Where was the Panchayat body when the illegal work began? Why wasn’t timely action taken to prevent this unauthorised activity?” asked Naik.