Xaxti’s countryside appears bracing up for yet another round of battle against housing projects. If the mood at the village gram sabhas is any indication, real estate developers will have to again grapple with the agitations against construction projects planned in the villages, reports Guilherme Almeida
When Majorda-Utorda-Calata gram sabha members trooped inside the meeting hall with banners and placards on January 27, their avowed objective was to convey a message loud and clear to the Panchayat rulers their strong opposition to housing projects.
On the same day, the gram sabha of the Sao Jose de Areal village Panchayat adopted a similar resolution opposing mega housing project.
That’s not all. Raia gram sabha on February 3 vehemently opposed construction of row houses and bungalows in the village. In neighbouring Curtorim, the village is bracing up for a legal battle against a builder, who has dragged the panchayat to the court for rejecting the construction license.
At Majorda, the gram sabha members were opposing a housing project mainly consisting of bungalows at Utorda on sprawling land admeasuring 7000 sq mts. Says Carlos Pacheco, “Villagers will not benefit from this project. Locals will not be able to buy a single bungalow or apartment in this housing project. The project will create a huge burden on the fragile village infrastructure, including water, power and garbage disposal”.
Like many a villager, Pacheco rued that 90 per cent of the housing projects that have come up in the village have been purchased by non-Goans, leaving the locals with any land for their housing needs.
Sao Jose de Areal villagers have been fighting a running battle against mega housing projects over half a decade now. And, they reiterated their opposition to mega housing projects in the village at the last gram sabha. Says Peter Fernandes: “The gram sabha has demanded that the Town and Country Planning Department accept the Regional Plan adopted by the village panchayat. We will challenge any decision contrary to the decision adopted by the village panchayat on the Regional Plan.”
Raia panch member Xavier Fernandes said the residents of Collea Dongor have firmly opposed construction license to 26 row houses and bungalows at the last gram sabha. “Gram sabha members have told the panchayat to reject the construction plan since there’s no 10-meter existing road as per the requirements. Moreover, people have called for the rejection in view of acute problems of drinking water and garbage disposal.”
Salcete’s countryside had reverberated with cries against mega housing project. The alarm bells were rung after Mumbai-based Rahejas proposed 600-odd apartment housing project in Carmona, before the movement spread to other parts of the taluka.
