VASCO
Different groups of residents from Chicalim have demanded an impartial enquiry into road widening activity at Dabolim.
Cyril Fernandes, member of the Chicalim Panchayat Supervisory Committee and Chairperson of the Biodiversity Heritage Site Committee of the Chicalim BMC, said the Chicalim Bio-Crusaders, Chicalim Gram Sabha members and members of the Chicalim Panchayat Village Development Committee (VDC) had inspected the ongoing work and alleged that several trees were felled at the site.
Edwin Mascarenhas, a member of the Road Safety Committee of the Chicalim panchayat, claimed that the ongoing work was beyond the scope of the work order issued by authorities.
Cyril Fernandes alleged that the work was being carried out with public funds and demanded a thorough enquiry into the whole episode.
Criticising the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA), Fernandes said the villagers had informed the MPDA about the activity, but alleged it had failed to respond to the complaints and did not even enquire into the activity.
Former Chicalim sarpanch and present Chicalim VDC member Pratap Mardolkar warned that villagers would take up this issue with higher authorities and the vigilance department to demand action against all those involved in the road-widening activity at Dabolim.
Chicalim Parish Priest Fr Bolmax Pereira appealed to villagers to remain united and not succumb to pressure tactics of politicians, while also demanding strict action against all those involved felling the trees.
A number of Gram Sabha members were seen carrying placards and protesting against the activity and demanded the intervention of the forest department to ensure that the affected area be restored to its original condition.
