Team Herald
PONDA: Tension prevailed at Sonarbag Usgao over construction of bandhara on Khandepar river on Tuesday. Sonarbaag Usgao locals also sent back machinery and labour involving construction at site, following which Ponda mamlatdar, Ponda Police Inspector and police force rushed at site to maintain law and order.
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Sonarbaag Usgao panch member Vinod Mascarenhas said he is with locals. “Locals opposed to proposed bandhara on Khandepar river fearing floods in monsoon. The locals gathered at site to protest against construction work for proposed bandhara,” Mascarenhas said.
Rohan Naik, a local said during monsoon, Khandepar river overflows and area got flooded.
“Last time several houses collapsed during floods. If the bhandara is constructed, then locals would be forced to leave the area. Beside, this area is prone to high tide and low tide and thus if bandhara is built here, then definitely people in low lying area would badly hit,” Naik said.
He said already Curti-Khandepar Panchayat has opposed bandhara at the other end, Murdi-Khandepar panchayat passed a resolution and revoked the NOC. Locals said now the WRD wants to begin work from Sonarbaag-Usgao panchayat side, which is being strongly opposed by the locals.
A local resident named Peter Rodrigues , a local said the work is stopped here. Last time also, mud transportation was stopped.
“We were asked by the sarpanch to take decision in gram sabha, but even before that, the WRD started work. Today, the locals have stopped the work and also asked to remove the excavation machinery at site,” Rodrigues said.
It may be recalled that government had planned Rs 100 crore bandhara-cum-barrage is planned in order to improve water supply for Priol constituency. However, fear of floods during monsoon has led to opposition to the project with Khandepar and Usgao locals both opposing the project.
