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VASCO
Coming under the closest proximity of the International Airport at Dabolim, several residents attended the gram sabha conducted by the village panchayat of Chicalim to address their concerns on the recent Navy proposal regarding NOC for any development in a 20 km flying radius.
The gram sabha which witnessed maximum attendance saw some chaotic and tense moments with the locals resolving to oppose the high-handedness of the navy on the issue.
The Chicalim panchayat also resolved to write to the government and Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho to engage in talks with the Navy and arrive at an amicable solution as residents were worried about the fate of their investments in the Chicalim and Dabolim area purchased on loans and with savings of an entire lifetime.
Resident Sharif Shaikh said that he had spent his hard-earned money but was unable to build a house considering the naval NOC.
“The 20 kms radius is a huge area for a small state like Goa. We have demanded that the panchayat talks to the Navy to allot the residents of Chicalim and Dabolim a platform where the NOCs could be issued without delay after scrutinisation of documents,” said Shaikh.
“We are a middle class family and today the fate of our investment is at full risk. The Goa government must stand for its people and and not allow this proposal to go through,” said another resident Pratima Naik.
“We have invested our hard-earned money to buy a land and build a small house since we have been here for the last 38 years. The navy is now saying it is in the Funnel Zone and we cannot carry out any development. What happens now to our money?” asked another resident Ramdas Parab.
P’yat to seek single window to clear Chicalim, Dabolim files
VASCO: Acting Sarpanch Kamla Prasad Yadav speaking to the media said that areas like Chicalim and Dabolim were the most affected as they were in very close proximity to the airport. Hence the panchayat would write to the government and approach Panchayats Minister to draw an amicable solution or provide a dedicated single window to clear files of Chicalim and Dabolim Area.
“The international airport is under the Chicalim panchayat jurisdiction and we are the biggest sufferers of this particular Naval proposal. This proposal should be rejected or else there cannot be any development in our jurisdiction and almost half of Goa. People are worried. It is a well known fact that the Navy does not entertain civilians,” said Yadav, adding that the Navy sometimes takes as long as two years to go though the files after which it sometimes does not give grant the permissions required.
“Hence we appeal to the government to engage the Navy in talks and furnish a colour code zoning plan so people know which area can be developed and the height they can get for their houses,” said Yadav.
The Acting Sarpanch further added, “The Navy must provide a dedicated window to our panchayat jurisdiction wherein residents may get their NOC in 15-20 days.”
The panchayat further requested the CM Pramod Sawant, Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho and Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik to resolve the issue and offer an amicable solution. “We have resolved to oppose this Naval proposal and write to the government on this issue because most of the areas in Chicalim and Dabolim are in the funnel zone and we will face maximum issues because of this proposal,” added Yadav.
