Seek carrying capacity study before giving licences
MAPUSA
Strong objections were raised by residents of Tivim against the mushrooming of large construction projects in the village, with villagers demanding that licences be issued only after assessing the area’s carrying capacity.
The issue was taken up at the gram sabha, where concerns were voiced over unchecked development and its long-term impact on local resources.
Local resident Robert Colaco pointed out that several multi-dwelling housing projects are coming up in Tivim, warning that such development does not augur well for the village’s welfare. He cautioned that the increasing pressure on infrastructure would ultimately affect local residents.
“A time will come when all the water and electricity will be consumed by these multi-dwelling units, and villagers will be made to suffer. We need to stop this trend of huge projects being set up in Tivim,” Colaco said.
Several other residents echoed similar concerns, stating that licences were being issued without a proper study of the village’s topography, resources and environmental limits.
Following the discussion, the gram sabha passed a resolution urging the panchayat to write to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, demanding that project approvals be granted only after assessing the village’s carrying capacity.
Villagers also expressed surprise that the corrected version of the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) was not forwarded to the Tivim panchayat, unlike in other villages.
Colaco recalled that during the earlier CZMP exercise, the plan had inaccurately shown only two sluice gates in Tivim, when in fact there were around 19.
He urged the panchayat to remain vigilant and not “play ball” with the Environment Department when the draft CZMP is placed before it.
On law and order issues, Sarpanch Michael Fernandes informed the gram sabha that Colvale police had conveyed their inability to conduct night patrolling in Tivim due to a shortage of vehicles.
The police reportedly have only one vehicle, which is reserved for emergencies. The issue of night patrolling had been raised earlier amid a rise in robberies and thefts across the State.
Another sensitive matter discussed was the alleged construction of an unauthorised religious structure on land belonging to the Public Works Department (PWD).
While the panchayat had written to the PWD seeking action, villagers alleged that the department had instead asked the panchayat to act.
“If the structure is coming up on PWD land, why should the panchayat take action?” a villager asked, warning that failure to act at an early stage could later escalate into a communal issue.
The condition of the Tivim ground also came under fire, with Colaco slamming the panchayat for spending nearly Rs 1 crore on repairs.
“Earlier, I had repaired the ground with just Rs 5 lakh. Now, a huge amount is spent and nothing worthwhile has been done. It is a waste of public money,” Colaco said.
