Locals ask panchayat to reject 11-apartment proposal
Activist Pratima Coutinho leads Dongorim residents opposing a proposed housing project.
MARGAO
Navelim was on the boil again over multi-dwelling units in the village, this time over a construction project proposed in the Dongorim ward.
A delegation of local residents from Dongorim called on Sarpanch Paulo Pereira and the Panchayat Secretary and demanded the rejection of the construction file. They cautioned the Panchayat body to act fast, saying that any delay in taking a decision would give the builder the liberty to invoke the deeming provision.
Led by social activist Pratima Coutinho, the local residents pointed out that the 11-apartment housing project is proposed at the dead end of a road, which is not even four metres wide. They questioned the Sarpanch and the Panchayat Secretary whether the Panchayat would issue a construction licence to a project without an adequate road on the ground.
Coutinho pointed out that the Panchayat should initiate quick action in the matter since the timeframe to act on the file expires on June 13. “The Panchayat has just two days left to make a decision. Otherwise, the builder will avail of the deeming provision to get the project approved,” Coutinho warned.
Besides the road issue, Coutinho pointed out that Dongorim is one ward which faces water pressure issues almost throughout the year. “Just imagine the plight of local residents facing water supply issues with new housing projects proposed in the locality,” she said.
Sarpanch Pereira confirmed that an inspection of the road showed that the road width does not conform to the six-metre road norm. He further said that the builder has not produced certain documents regarding the amalgamation of the two plots. “We will return the file to the builder within a day or two for not complying with the provisions,” the Sarpanch added.
