Team Herald
PONDA: There was some tension at Bethki-Khandola on Friday as the inspection of a construction site could not be held as the builder Goan Paradise had not been served a notice by the panchayat secretary.
The panchayat had fixed Friday for the inspection after a gram sabha resolution to that effect, but locals who gathered at the site along with the sarpanch and panch members found that Town Country Planning officials had not turned up. They were further angered when the panchayat secretary Rupesh Halarnkar told the sarpanch that he had not served an inspection notice on Goan Paradise. The locals then went to the panchayat office and gheraoed the secretary on the notice.
Sarpanch Sudhiksha Kandolkar said since the secretary serves the notices she thought that all parties had been served.
Halankar said that since the builder had approached the deputy director of panchayats over not being granted an NOC he believes that the matter is sub-judice. He also said there was no clear mention of serving a notice to Goan Paradise in the resolution.
Panch Madu Gaonkar and other locals alleged that this was intentional as the secretary might have some vested interest and said they would demand his transfer.
According to locals Arvind Gaonkar and Arun Madgaonkar, the project is coming up in 17,000 sq mts and will have around 107 flats and 36 shops. The locals want proper information about the project and an inspection of site. They demand proper sanitation, sewerage system, extended power and water requirement.
As the builder has shown a sewerage plant (STP) they fear that the sewage may pollute their water sources and agricultural fields situated in a low-lying area as well as lakes and the Ganpati temple which is close to the project site.
