the goan I network
Old Goa
Corlim locals protested against the installation of a mobile tower in a residential area at Mollar alleging that the same does not have licence from the panchayat or other relevant authorities.
Around 100 residents gathered on Sunday near the house of the person where the tower was installed and shouted slogans demanding its immediate removal failing which they have vowed to intensify the agitation.
They also took out a morcha in protest. Richard Pereira who is leading the agitation informed The Goan that the residents had earlier stopped the tower work when it was given provisional NOC for six months. “The said NOC has since expired and is no longer valid,” he claimed.
“But four days back the work on the tower started and it was installed overnight. We petitioned the panchayat on October 4, but no action has been taken,” Pereira added.
Cumbarjua Congress leader Vishal Volvoikar who is backing the agitation said that any project should have relevant licences from authorities concerned and the same should be displayed at the site.
“In this case nothing is displayed which only proves the allegations that the tower is installed illegally,” Volvoikar stated. The residents have also questioned the need for having another mobile tower in the locality when one already exists just next door.
When The Goan contacted Corlim sarpanch Shiva Naik, he said that the
panchayat is in receipt of the complaint from the villagers which was addressed only on October 4.
“I will place the issue before the panchayat body and accordingly take action,” Naik stated, while informing that a notice would be issued to the party to submit documents, if any, issued by relevant authorities for installation of the tower.
“The panchayat will follow legal procedure in the matter,” he added. Meanwhile, the villagers also submitted a memorandum to the Old Goa police seeking action against the mobile tower. A large posse of police from Old Goa were present at the site to maintain law and order.
