MARGAO
As Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai descends on Salcete coastal belt on Saturday to interact with the newly-elected panchas, he may have to grapple with a host of issues, right from the controversial western bypass to the woes of traditional fishermen and tourism infrastructure shortcomings.
Representatives of the traditional fishermen are also expected to submit issues affecting them to the governor.
Members of the newly-elected panchayats along the coastal belt have prepared memorandums on the issues in their villages.
The western bypass, which has been plaguing Benaulim villagers for over half a decade is likely to take the centre stage during the interaction.
Benaulim sarpanch Xavier Pereira said the western bypass will prominently figure in the memorandum that would be submitted to the governor during his visit.
“The governor is aware of the western bypass issue since he had in the past called on him. But, in the light of the report prepared by the Water Resources Department (WRD), which has come out with startling findings that a bypass sans stilts will result in flooding of the village, we will renew our plea for the construction of the bypass on stilts,” Xavier said.
Newly-elected Cavelossim sarpanch Dixon Vaz said since the village is the hub of starred resorts, the panchayat would draw the attention of the governor to spruce up the infrastructural requirements for the benefit of the visitors.
He further pointed out that the since the traditional fishermen constitute the major stakeholders along the coast, the panchayat would take up their issues with the governor.
Benaulim-based traditional fisherman Pele Fernandes told The Goan that they would make a strong case before Governor Pillai when he descends at the Hawaii beach to allocate a portion of the land owned by the Fisheries department to the fishermen. “We have been knocking on the doors of the government and authorities to earmark land admeasuring 5,000 square metres of the defunct Benaulim prawn hatchery land to the fishermen to anchor their boats and store their fishing gear, including nets. Instead of giving the entire land admeasuring 50,000 square metres for private players, we will ask for a small portion to pursue our traditional occupation,” Pele said while exuding confidence that the Governor would help the community.
