the goan I network
OLD GOA
Even as IT Minister Rohan Khaunte held a presentation on IT Park project for the Chimbel panchayat, ZP member Sandeep Vernekar and St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes. Vernekar and Fernandes have demanded that the presentation should be held for the real stakeholders, the villagers.
The presentation was held against the backdrop of growing opposition to the project in Chimbel. The next presentation is scheduled to be held on January 11 for all 40 MLAs. Sources informed that all 11 members of the Chimbel panchayat were present for the meeting.
When contacted, St Cruz MLA Fernandes said he had demanded that the presentation be held for the real stakeholders i.e. the villagers, particularly members of the Chimbel Manch.
“The minister told me that he has not received any representation from the Manch till date and if the members want it, then they should submit in writing,” Fernandes i
nformed.
The MLA, however, went on to add that if the villagers are still not satisfied with the project, he would side with the villagers in opposing the project.
ZP member Sandeep Vernekar also informed that he also demanded that the villagers should be given the presentation as they are the real stakeholders and not the politicians.
The Goan understands that the IT Park will be set up on 12 acres of land, which will have three buildings reserved for startup hub, IT hub and technology hub. Also, space will be allocated for companies or contractors to buildings, which will then be leased out to IT companies.
Another 19.12 acres will be reserved for amenities like water harvesting, solar energy tapping and space for setting stalls for exhibitions related IT. It was also learnt that the project will come up 400 metres away from the Chimbel lake. However, the moot question is what will happen to the remaining land allotted to IT Park.
ZP member Vernekar said he had put the question after the presentation but did not get a clear answer. “The minister only told me that this is the first phase that would come up, which means there would be more phases in the future,” Vernekar suggested.
“I also raised the issue of putting the water of the Chimbel lake to good use. If the Portuguese used it to supply the water to Panaji city, the government could use it for the benefit of the villagers,” he opined.
Meanwhile, the villagers will hold a mega meeting at Indira Nagar, on Saturday, to voice their opposition
to the project.
