PANAJI
Residents of Chimbel staged a sudden protest at the Tiswadi Deputy Collector’s office on Thursday, accusing the administration of failing to clear construction debris at the Kadamba plateau, where the Unity Mall and Administrative Tower project was scrapped months ago.
The government had directed the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) to dismantle the tin fencing and restore the land to its original condition within seven days of cancelling the project.
But more than five months later, neither task has been completed.
“If the work is not finished within the next week, we will launch a fresh agitation,” warned Ajay Kholkar, who submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Collector along with other locals including tribal leader Govind Shirodkar.
Kholkar recalled that villagers had agitated for 44 days to force cancellation of the project.
“Even after the cancellation, the fencing remains. The land was dug up and has been left in that state. Some ministers still claim the mall will come up. We held a meeting yesterday and resolved to press for immediate restoration of the site,” he said.
Shirodkar highlighted safety concerns saying the site is rocky and about five metres were excavated and filled with boulders which could become a dangerous trench in the monsoon.
"If anyone ventures there, accidents are likely. The land must be restored urgently,” Shirodkar said.
The protesters accused the administration of deliberate neglect despite repeated follow-ups and demanded that the District Collector issue instructions to GTDC to remove the fencing and level the land.
