PANJIM: St Cruz panchayat claims that no project has been approved within 200 meters of the Bondvol Lake after the High Court order of November 7, 2017.
St Cruz Sarpanch Mariano Araujo said that the Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai was misguiding the people by stating that the panchayat has given licenses to row houses in the vicinity of the Bondvol lake.
In a public interest litigation filed by St Cruz residents, the High Court had directed that no construction was to be allowed within 200 meters from the edge of the water (highest) level. It had also asked Forest Department to carry out a survey of existing trees in the area and ensure that no trees are cut on the periphery of the lake.
Araujo said the panchayat approved four projects in 2017 near Bondvol lake of which only one project was approved in July 2017 during his tenure and prior to the High Court order. He said the panchayat nod was given only after TCP approval.
“Vijai Sardesai visited Bondvol lake in April 2017 and said no licenses will be approved in 200 meters vicinity of Bondvol lake while in June 2017 his department approved the project within 200 meters of the lake,” the Sarpanch said.
He said that Sardesai is targeting the panchayat because it is with the people of village and opposing the inclusion of certain areas of St Cruz in the Greater Panjim Planning and Development Authority (GPPDA). “It is a clear pressure technique of the Minister but we will remain firm on our decision,” Arauzo said.
He said there are 11 projects within 200 meters from the edge of the water (highest) level of the Bondvol lake as per a recent survey carried out by the Land Survey Department.
“Not all projects have started construction work. We will see now whether Sardesai’s TCP Department will revoke the licenses to the projects honouring the HC order,” the sarpanch said. He said Sardesai should stop fooling the people and de-notify the areas of St Cruz from GPPDA.
