PANJIM: Siridao villagers gathered in large numbers, on Monday, at the beautification project at Sunset Point and demanded the demolition of two illegal walls, which have been built under the cover of the beautification project.
Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) officials denied that they had commissioned the walls. The walls are built on either side of the pathway leading to a private residence. The locals alleged that the walls have been built by the same contractor who has undertaken the beautification project. They say that the pathway itself encroaches on government land.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The walls are not as per the approved plan. Hence, the villagers demanded action against the contractor since the walls have been built with taxpayers’ money. They also alleged that government officials involved were working under political pressure. They also demanded that the low wall built by the roadside be completely removed to facilitate parking of vehicles of people who visit the sunset point, otherwise it would cause hindrance to villagers since car owners will be forced to park on the roads.
On April 25, O Heraldo had highlighted how Siridao villagers had gathered near the Sunset Point parking area on April 24 and demanded the demolition of the illegal walls and opposed the proposed gate, which leads to a private residence.
On Monday, the Siridao-Pale Village Panchayat had called the GTDC officials for site inspection, since the villagers had filed a complaint before the panchayat regarding the illegal walls, a proposed gate and the beautification project itself. The open space was a beautiful place where picnickers from nearby areas would come, relax and watch the sunset. Now, the tourism project is destroying the beauty of the place by concretising it and building walls (besides the two illegal walls) thus restricting the parking area. The parking space shown on the beautification project will be inadequate.
The local MLA stated that the project had been executed without taking him into confidence. The villagers informed that they suspect that a provisional NOC has been given by the panchayat to the GTDC.
However, there were two positive outcomes for the villagers on Monday, when the GTDC officials got the two poles of the proposed gate at the pathway removed and secondly, the height of the beautification projection has been halved. However, no action was taken by GTDC officials against the illegal walls built on both sides of the pathway to the private residence.
Sarpanch Suwarna Cuncalienkar stated, “We had inspected the site earlier. The contractor had told us verbally that he would be constructing the walls. But we told him that the walls were not as per the plans. We will act as per the wishes of the people.”
She agreed that the GTDC proposal had come to the panchayat and discussed by the members. She also agreed that the local MLA had not been informed.
“When we asked the sarpanch if she had illegally given permission to the walls, she is not disclosed whether they have given NOC,” Seby Gracias, a villager said.
“They should have taken the villagers into confidence. We will not allow our village to be destroyed,” another villager added.
“Like Bambolim Beach, we do not want our beach access to be destroyed. We are here to fight for this place. People from Margao, Dongrim, Panjim and other places come here. If the walls are built, the cars will be parked on the road causing hindrance to villagers,” Carlos Afonso, another villager said.
