VASCO: RDA Minister and Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha has reiterated that she will continue to oppose the ‘Mini India Park’ in Quelossim as the same had been proposed in a ‘no-development zone’.
“As per the rules, no project can be proposed or planned in a ‘no-development zone’. The area in which the proposed Mini India Park is planned is an eco-sensitive zone, surrounded with a large number of mangroves and natural habitat. I know that the promoters have been making attempts to get a backdoor entry, but I will never allow such a project in Quelossim-Cortalim nor will permission be granted to them,” said Saldanha.
She was addressing the press after inaugurating her office in Cortalim.
It may be recalled that the residents of Cortalim-Quelossim, at all gram sabhas, had raised strong objections to the Mini India Project. On few occasions, the villagers had also demanded an FIR against the promoter for allegedly destroying mangroves at the project site. Saldanha’s statement against the project will have high importance for the villagers.
Meanwhile, Saldanha also disclosed that she would take up the issue in the forthcoming Assembly session in case it was tabled during the Zero Hours by any MLA.
“I will definitely object to the project in the forthcoming Assembly session and I will request my colleague MLAs to take up the issue during Zero Hour,” said Saldanha. She also stated that the Cortalim market project would be completed in May. She said, “The market will be another major project in Cortalim constituency, fulfilling the promise given to my late husband in the Assembly election manifesto.”
