OLD GOA
Sending a loud and clear message to the government, particularly Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, the Chimbel locals have warned of agitation if the government goes ahead with the Unity Mall in the village.
Addressing reporters at Azad Maidan on Thursday, local Govind Shirodkar said that in the past Khaunte had tried to bring in the IT Park.
"Now, he is trying to bring the Unity Mall. We do not know why Khaunte is hell bent on bringing projects which are detrimental to the nearby Chimbel Lake, declared as a wetland," Shirodkar informed.
Shirodkar further stated that the Chimbel locals have been able to thwart such attempts with the help of activists, environmentalists and others.
He then warned that now, too, the locals will agitate if attempts are made to forcibly thrust the Unity Mall project on the Chimbelkars.
Another local Ana Gracias said the project will severely affect the Chimbel Lake, one of the biodiversity hotspots of the village.
"The sewage waste from the Mall will seep into the Chimbel Lake, thereby contaminating and polluting it," Gracias stated and informed that the locals will oppose the project till it is shelved.
"We are not going to keep quiet. We have shown that in the past and we are ready to show our prowess now also," she said.
A large number of locals also were present.
