the goan I network
MARGAO
Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias on Friday directed the contractor executing the construction of the compound wall of the NIT campus at Cuncolim to temporarily keep on hold excavation work following complaints that besides land, a couple of houses will go for demolition to make way for the compound wall.
The local MLA along with the aggrieved persons and officials conducted a site inspection of the area where the contractor is presently undertaking excavation to build the compound wall.
He made a pointed reference to the complaint lodged by a local resident Sommerwell Gama, claiming that the excavation is taking place in his property, while the NIT has also laid claim on the same land on ground that the land in question is acquired by the institute.
“The NIT officials have pointed out that the land claimed by Gama has already been acquired for the project. I have requested the contractor to keep the excavation work on hold for the time being so that all the parties inspect the records and come to a conclusion,” Clafacio said.
He told the media after the inspection that while he is helpless in the matter, with the NIT having already acquired the land, the MLA said he would speak to the NIT, Goa Director to explore the possibility of saving the land in question as well as the residential houses. “If one goes by the land acquired by the NIT, a number of houses will go for demolition. We will soon have a meeting with the NIT Director to find out whether the residential houses can be saved,” Clafacio said, adding that those structures which are illegal, besides encroachments will go for
demolition.
“I will take up Gama’s case with the NIT Director to save his land since he had donated the land to a religious institution for a charitable purpose,” the MLA said.
