Alarmed over the prospect that a third mega hotel project could be set up at Arossim, the Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim Villagers Action Committee (CACVAC) has recently come together to oppose the proposed starred hotel along the village coast.
According to CACVAC General Secretary Anthony D’Silva, the company has plans to build a starred hotel in the CRZ zone adjacent to another hotel in the village.
“A portion of the land is also tenanted paddy fields and moreover, the company’s application for the conversion of land is now with the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department,” said D’Silva.
D’Silva claimed that the panchayat had passed a resolution at a Gram Sabha on July 28 to oppose mega projects in the village.
But what surprised locals was that the hotel company decided to go ahead with the proposed hotel project and even claimed to have received a CRZ clearance from Delhi in June 2013.
“The local panchayat also received a letter on May 13 from the State director of Industries, Trade and Commerce, seeking comments from the Panchayat for the proposed hotel project,” said D’Silva.
“Cansaulim Arossim Cuelim Sarpanch Josita Cardozo responded on June 7 highlighting the ill-effects of mega-projects on grounds of inadequate basic infrastructure, power and water,” he added.
The issue regarding the proposed hotel was then raised in the recent Gram Sabha on July 20, where residents claimed that two large starred hotels are already located in the village and voiced their opposition to a third mega hotel project.
The residents claimed that such mega projects would deprive the villagers of their basic amenities as these hotels demand large quantities of water supply and other public amenities.
Responding at the Gram Sabha, Cardozo informed the residents that the panchayat had not yet received file from the TCP regarding the proposed hotel project and assured them that the Panchayat would act swiftly, if and when they received a file from the TCP.
The villagers pointed out that since the site to the proposed hotel project has only a 3-metre wide road, there would be heavy traffic congestion if the present narrow lane is used as an access to and from the proposed hotel.
The locals also feared that the presence of a mega hotel project could also give rise to social tension regarding the taxi operators, while the absence of a waste management system in the village could also cause garbage problems.
Speaking to Herald, Josita Cardozo said that the panchayat has not received any files or any correspondent from the Town and Country Planning department.
“We received a correspondence from the state Director of Industries, Trade and Commerce, for our say about the proposed project and I have already sent our reply,” said Cardozo.
“Once we receive any files pertaining to the proposed hotel project, the panchayat will act swiftly and take necessary action. The Gram Sabha has already passed a resolution to oppose any mega projects in the village which affect the villagers,” stated Cardozo.
When contacted, Forest and Environment Minister Alina Saldanha, who happens to be the local MLA, stated that the matter would be placed before the government.
“I will also take up the matter before departments concerned to verify the allegations raised by the villagers about the CRZ issue.”
“I will also undertake a site inspection along with authorities and will review the clearances given by the various government agencies regarding this project,” assured Saldanha.
