MARGAO
Eight housing villas with as many swimming pools proposed in Betalbatim triggered an uproar in the village on Monday, with villagers raising serious concerns over the village's carrying capacity when mega housing projects are thrust upon them by "outsiders".
The villagers contended that Betalbatim does not receive a 24x7 water supply to meet the water requirements of the local populace and questioned how a water supply estimated at around 500 cubic metres will be arranged for 17 swimming pools proposed in the village.
Villagers assembled near a site for an inspection where the eight villas in two different survey numbers have been proposed for construction. Raising their strong objections to the mega housing projects, villagers claimed the village is facing a heavy strain on the infrastructure, be it garbage collection, water and power supply, or roads.
A villager, Savio Rodrigues, told the media that so many mega housing projects, including villas with swimming pools, have been proposed in the village without taking into account the carrying capacity. “Villagers are facing a water crisis, but villas with swimming pools are being proposed for construction. Why should the common man face the brunt of water shortage just to meet the needs of the villas?” Savio said.
He added: “When we are facing domestic water consumption issues, just imagine how the village will cope with water for the swimming pools. We don’t get water in our taps 24x7. We have lodged our strong objections to all upcoming projects.”
Betalbatim Deputy Sarpanch Ilma Dias said multi-dwelling units are being proposed in the village when the villagers are facing water scarcity, power fluctuations, sewage discharge into water bodies, and more issues every day.
“The new projects will only add to the burden faced by the villagers. We have four resorts, besides guest houses and rooms leased out to tenants. There is absolutely no space for new projects in the village. We have a stormwater nullah that goes through the fields before entering the sea. Workers refuse to clean the nullah because of sewage contamination,” she said.
Betalbatim villagers have been up in arms over the number of mega housing projects proposed in the village. Villagers have hit the streets time and again to oppose the projects in their neighbourhood.
In fact, an extraordinary gram sabha was convened by the Panchayat a month ago to discuss the mega housing projects, with villagers coming out openly against the housing projects proposed by developers from outside the State.
