THE GOAN NETWORK
PERNEM
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday promised to open traditional access roads and footpaths on a hilly plateau in Varcha Wada at Morjim.
He was speaking to a delegation of locals from Morjim led by Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar, when they called on him to highlight their grievances over the sudden closure of these traditional accesses.
The aggrieved locals claimed that some land on the hilly plateau at Varcha Wada has been purchased by non-Goans, without taking locals in the area into confidence.
While there has been a network of roads constructed in the area for proposed mega projects, locals claimed the traditional footways and access roads have been blocked by erecting gates.
They added that they have been deprived from visiting their properties on the plateau, and an age-old temple in the area.
The locals informed the chief minister that they have been frequently raising their voice and had also submitted a memorandum to the panchayat and the government.
They stated that a few days ago, they had gathered at the Morjim Panchayat for a protest and to demand the withdrawal of NOCs issued for roads on the plateau. They had also prayed publicly to Shree Devi Satpurush and Shree Dev Kanadi Vansh to punish those working against the well-being of locals and doing injustice to them.
Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar had discussed matter with locals on Tuesday and assured to support their demands.
Accordingly, the MLA led a delegation of locals to meet the chief minister on Wednesday, who promised them to look into the matter and open the traditional access roads and footways.
Later speaking to reporters, Arolkar said he met the chief minister along with a delegation of the citizens, government officers, deputy collector, mamlatdar, etc. to work out an amicable solution.
“The chief minister will resolve the issues of Pednekars, and appealed that every panchayat should be vigilant when such large scale sales and transfers of land occur in their jurisdiction and the citizens should voice their concerns.
