Dovondem residents revisit MMC over project fencing

MARGAO

Agitated residents of Dovondem in Fatorda on Tuesday returned back to the Margao Municipal Council seeking to know the status of their demand for the removal of the GI sheet fencing at a mega housing site.

Like on previous three occasions where the residents were only giving dates, Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar once again sought 10-day time to sort out the issue. However, unlike last time, the Chief Officer took the residents to the Administrator Srinet Kothwale to address their concerns and demands relating to the GI sheet fencing.

The residents, however, cried foul after the Administrator feigned ignorance about the matter, leaving them to wonder whether the Chief Officer did not put up the file to him for action.

Kothwale assured the residents that he would initiate action in their complaint, as he sought 10 day time to study the matter and take action. He later told the media that the site would be inspected before initiating action, clarifying that the construction licence issued for the project had expired years ago.

Later briefing the media, Adv Seoula Vas, retired bureaucrat Aleixo Costa and local residents said they would wait for the civic body to remove the GI sheet fencing within the next 10 days. The residents warned that the civic officials should not test their patience, accusing the Municipality for only giving dates instead of taking concrete action.

Adv Vaz gave a clarion call to the local MLA, besides the Chief Officer and other officials to resign if they cannot remove the fencing when construction licence issued for the project had expired over a decade ago.

Residents pointed out that the Chief Officer is only giving them dates without taking concrete action on the ground. “When the builder has no licence for construction, how can he erect the fencing around the property?  The GI sheet fencing is posing danger for the local children playing around the area,” they said.

Locals raise grievances before Kamat at darbar

MARGAO: Agitated Dovondem residents upped the ante against the mega housing projects in their locality when they called on PWD Minister Digambar Kamat with their grievances at his weekly darbar at the Margao Municipal hall.

When the residents drew attention of the Minister to their demand for removal of the GI sheet fencing at the mega housing project, Kamat said he is unaware of the issue. When they pointed accusing fingers at Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar for dragging his feet to initiate action against the fencing, the Minister assured them that he would seek detailed report from the Chief Officer.

While saying the issues does not fall in his domain, Kamat told the residents to meet him next week, promising to get all the details from the MMC.