Residents demand clarity on roads, sewage, parking and employment
MAPUSA
Villagers of Penha de Franca on Sunday questioned what they termed the “bulldozing” of major development projects and demanded greater transparency and public consultation, particularly in connection with the proposed Time Square, Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and Chorao–Salvador do Mundo bridge projects.
At the gram sabha meeting, residents demanded that the concerned departments executing these projects place detailed project reports (DPRs) and master plans in the public domain.
Villagers said the documents should clearly spell out road connectivity, traffic movement, parking arrangements, garbage and sewerage disposal, as well as employment opportunities for educated and skilled unemployed youth from the village.
Several gram sabha members expressed concern over the government’s approach of pushing large infrastructure projects without taking the public into confidence and questioned how such projects would benefit the local community.
On another issue, villagers raised concerns over six private jetties that have been ordered to be removed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Members said that although the jetties had received permissions from the Captain of Ports and other authorities, the panchayat could not shirk its responsibility as the structures fell within its jurisdiction.
“Since these jetties have been declared illegal, they should be sealed immediately and tourist activities stopped to decongest public roads,” a gram sabha member said.
The issue of overhead cables was also raised, with villagers urging the panchayat to write to the Electricity Department to prevent internet and other cables from being looped onto electric poles.
Members said severed and dangling wires posed a serious threat to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, with mishaps reported frequently.
Residents further demanded that the panchayat write to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department and other authorities not to grant no-objection certificates (NOCs) for constructions lacking proper access or involving hill and slope cutting without adequate contour and topographical studies.
They cautioned that indiscriminate approvals could land panchayat officials in trouble, citing the Anjuna fire tragedy as an example.
Opposition was also voiced to carrying out development projects such as parks and gardens beneath the Mandovi bridge at Malim and Britona without consulting all affected stakeholders and assessing the pros and cons of such initiatives.
Villagers demanded that no new housing projects be permitted without conducting village-level carrying capacity and infrastructure feasibility studies.
During the meeting, the panchayat’s annual budget was presented, discussed and passed.
The panchayat informed the gram sabha that it would write to Hotel Neo Majestic directing it to stop parking buses and vehicles on public roads, use its designated parking spaces and undertake regular cleaning of garbage and debris along public roads leading to the hotel under its CSR obligations at least twice a month.
The issue of stray dogs was also discussed, with the panchayat stating that it would approach government-authorised animal welfare NGOs and identify space for housing stray dogs.
The gram sabha was presided over by Penha de Franca Sarpanch Swapnil Chodankar.
