MARGAO
The Cana-Benaulim Gram Sabha on Sunday resolved to hold a meet shortly to create awareness for unitedly conveying apprehensions pertaining to the purported damage likely to be caused due to the proposed Western bypass.
Gram Sabha members also mulled inviting social activists from affected Salcete villages such as Nuvem, Seraulim, Navelim, beside Benaulim itself. The sabha was also in the process of drawing a committee comprising panch members and Gram Sabha members to chalk out the exact contours of the proposed plan of action in this matter.
The issue, which figured at the Gram Sabha, witnessed locals air their opinion ranging from destruction of water bodies to the apprehensions regarding flooding of the village if the bypass is constructed.
Locals claimed mud to the tune of 24 lakh cubic metres, which translates into 3.5 lakh trucks, is required for the project. They feared this will damage the ecology of
the area.
Some of the locals felt the panchayat should approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT) or agitate against this project. Some others demanded an EIA of the project and the social and cultural problems it would invite.
Cana-Benaulim sarpanch Remy Fernandes said the panchayat is yet to receive any plan as regards the proposed Western bypass, while acceding to the demand of the Gram Sabha in this matter.
In yet another decision, the Gram Sabha also conveyed its serious concerns over the mobile towers, particularly the radiation emitted by these, while sarpanch Fernandes categorically stated the the panchayat had not given NOC to any such towers in the village. Some of the locals wanted the GSPCB to certify the radiation levels and the pollution effects from such towers.
To encourage tourism in the village, some locals felt the government must reserve some space along the beach for erecting shacks.
Other issues which figured at the Gram Sabha included the need to collect house tax arrears from hoteliers instead of accepting the proposal of their CSR activity in
the village.
