Team Herald
MARGAO: Locals in Seraulim have raised complaints about alleged land filling activity on
agricultural land near the wholesale fish market. A flying squad from the Town and Country Planning Department conducted an
inspection following these complaints, and a local
resident,
Joaquim Dias, revealed that they have been approaching authorities for years without any action being taken, even as the extent and intensity of the land filling work has been steadily increasing. Dias alleged that the residents had even sent the Deputy Collector videos of trucks unloading mud and material at the site for alleged land filling work, but their efforts were of no avail.
Former Seraulim Panch Elvis Coutinho, demanded that the land be restored to its original condition, and along with other villagers present, expressed concern that further land filling activity must be stopped. Coutinho went on to allege that political pressure is the reason behind the lack of action taken.
Town and Country Planning officials have assured locals they will follow up on the matter, and the police are monitoring the situation. Benaulim MLA, Venzy Viegas, who visited the site, questioned why
no action was taken and called for the area to be cordoned off.
Viegas then spoke to TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane on the phone and gave instructions for urgent action to be taken. He demanded machinery be brought in to clear out the site, and for migrant workers to be shifted too, all within
24 hours.
