MAPUSA
Villagers of Candolim voiced serious concerns over unchecked hill cutting, rampant land filling and rising illegal constructions across the village during Sunday’s gram sabha, urging the local panchayat to take immediate and decisive action to safeguard the environment and preserve land for future generations.
Prominent local Fatima Dias highlighted the growing number of unauthorised structures mushrooming on the Orda and Saipem hills, stating that the panchayat has failed to respond to repeated complaints.
“Blatant land filling is going on in multiple areas while the authorities remain silent,” she said.
Another villager, Damiao Telles, raised the alarm about illegal constructions at Voila-Vaddo in Orda, claiming that permissions are being misused.
“Licences are taken to build on 500 square metres, but constructions end up sprawling across 1,500 square metres,” he alleged. “Worse, licences are granted for one site, but buildings come up elsewhere,” he added.
Telles also pointed to the destruction of local hills to make way for massive second and third homes owned by non-Goans, asserting that no locals are involved in such construction activities.
“We face intimidation for speaking up “ people accuse us of violence when all we’re doing is protecting our land,” he said.
Concerns were also raised over the Saligao solid waste treatment plant, which villagers said was causing a severe foul odour, especially in the evenings.
“The smell after 5 pm is unbearable. We had opposed the plant even during its construction and later during its expansion,” Dias added, warning of potential health hazards.
Sarpanch Blaize Fernandes acknowledged the grievances and assured the gram sabha that the panchayat would act.
“We are aware of the smell issue and have already taken it up with the concerned authorities,” he said.
Another local, Anil Candolkar, complained about three hotels operating without proper parking facilities.
“These hotels have converted their parking spaces into rooms and are instead hiring open areas for parking,” he revealed, demanding strict action against the illegal conversions.
In response to infrastructure concerns, the Sarpanch informed villagers that the panchayat plans to install a 10 KLD sewage treatment plant near the Nerul bridge, capable of handling 10 tankers daily.
He assured that Candolim would be given first priority for usage, with surrounding areas considered subsequently to ensure optimum functioning.
The Sarpanch also announced a mega beach cleaning drive scheduled for April 21, inviting community participation to restore cleanliness to Candolim’s coastline.
As villagers continue to raise red flags on multiple environmental and civic issues, the onus now lies on the panchayat and concerned authorities to act swiftly before irreversible damage is done to Candolim’s natural landscape and quality of life.
