MARGAO
The Cavelossim gram sabha held on Sunday turned stormy over a host of issues, as the meeting discussed contentious issues, including opposition to housing projects, the road leading to the property of cricketer Ashish Nehra in the no development zone, sandbags along the beach stretch, beach accesses for local stakeholders’ et al.
Police had to intervene for a brief moment after heated exchanges ensued between members during the discussions. This is perhaps the first time in recent months that the gram sabha witnessed a large turnout of members, especially against the backdrop of issues surfacing over the last one month, including the road in the no development zone, besides tampering of sand dunes, etc.
The meeting chaired by Sarpanch Dixon Vaz later adopted a resolution with the members firmly opting for sustainable development, as they opposed mega housing projects, second homes and flats in the village. The members further said hotel projects can come in the village as per the laws in force, but not at the cost of the village environment. During discussions, some of the gram sabha members called for a master plan for the tourist village, while others called for a new Regional Plan to meet village requirements.
Fr Eremito Rebello, who hails from Cavelossim, made a plea to the sarpanch to consider a stop to further development along the village coastal belt, other than single-dwelling units. However, voices were heard amongst the gram sabha members that such a decision will go against the local villagers who own beach side properties.
Sarpanch Dixon informed the members that the last hotel that had come in Cavelossim was way back in 2014. “The panchayat is not in receipt of any proposals to build hotels in the village. The panchayat has only received a communiqué from a starred resort about their intention to come to Cavelossim, but no concrete plan received till date,” he said.
Later briefing the media, Dixon said since the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has issued a notice to cricketer Ashish Nehra on the road construction, further action is expected to remove the road and restore the land to its original condition.
He further said the panchayat was not kept in the loop on the question of placing sandbags at the Cavelossim beach, saying the sand bags have been placed without the panchayat NOC.
On the panchayat’s provisional NOC to a Margao-based real estate development, Dixon said a decision has been taken that no construction in the plots will be allowed by cutting the sand dune located in the property. “The sand dune is located beyond the 500 metre from the coast, but still it has been resolved not to issue the licence,” he added.
On the beach access which generated much heat at the meeting, Dixon said the TCP rule says the beach access will be provided only when the owners take up the construction work.
Gram sabha member Paul Lobo said members had come in large numbers for the gram sabha to convey a clear message that they want only sustainable development in the village and not unregulated development.
