MARGAO: The Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department has revoked the technical clearance for a contentious construction project in Chandor, comprising 28 buildings, after strong opposition from the local villagers. This decision has brought immense relief and joy to the residents of Chandor-Cavorim, who have been actively resisting the development to protect the heritage character of their village.
The villagers, who had consistently voiced their concerns through resolutions passed at gram sabhas, expressed their gratitude to MLA and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao for his unwavering support. They thanked him for advocating on their behalf, bringing the issue to the state assembly, and ultimately helping to halt the project.
In a press note, the villagers commended Alemao for his persistent efforts, which they believe played a crucial role in the TCP's decision to cancel the project. They highlighted that this move preserves the cultural and historical integrity of Chandor, a village known for its picturesque and heritage-rich environment.
S P Surlakar, the Town Planner, issued the order to revoke the technical clearance. The decision followed the issuance of a show-cause notice by the TCP to the developer, questioning the validity of the clearance amid allegations of misrepresentation and submission of incorrect plans and area statements. The developer's response was deemed unsatisfactory, particularly regarding issues of encroachment and demarcation, leading to the revocation of the clearance.
Earlier, the Chandor panchayat had issued a construction licence to the developers, based on the TCP Department’s clearance. During the gram sabha in July, villagers gathered in large numbers and expressed their objections, demanding the immediate cessation of work on the project, despite the panchayat body's earlier notice to halt it. They even considered filing a police complaint against the builders for proceeding with construction work despite the panchayat’s stop-work order.
The villagers had noted that the luxury villas planned in the village would be unaffordable for Chandor or Goan residents, suggesting that the villas were intended for wealthy non-Goans. They expressed concerns that an influx of people from North India would jeopardise the village’s culture and heritage, while the increased population would strain the village’s water and power supply and congest the roads.