MAPUSA
Former MLAs of Siolim have vehemently criticised the recent road expansion and tree cutting activities in the region, denouncing what they perceive as a misuse of power and a disregard for proper procedures.
The condemnation was particularly directed at government departments, notably the Public Works Department (PWD) and the local panchayat, for allowing the works to proceed without due process.
Demanding
accountability
The former legislators, who also held ministerial positions, asserted that the contractor booked for chopping down century-old trees was being unfairly targeted and made scapegoat, while the real orchestrators of the development projects were evading accountability.
A former WRD minister and three-time BJP MLA of Siolim, Dayanand Mandrekar, slammed the ongoing development, labelling it as unjust and deserving condemnation from all conscientious citizens.
He described the felling of century-old trees as an assault on Siolkars’ identity.
“Overnight, compound walls were brought down and trees were mercilessly cut without following procedures and instilling fear among the local residents. This is someone’s ‘masti’ (recklessness) with the backing of government’s power,” Mandrekar said, his target obvious.
Mandrekar also pointed fingers at government authorities for their lack of transparency, alleging that attempts to seek information about the projects were met with silence, even from high-ranking officials such as the Chief Engineer of PWD.
“The local (Siolim-Marna) panchayat is also responsible. They should have guided him (did not name the person),” he said.
Incidentally, the road-widening work along the main district road (MDR-8) of Siolim-Marna had begun almost three weeks back.
However, the controversy over the work erupted recently after massive age-old trees were chopped down raising the hackles of the locals and green activists.
NO ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Another former WRD minister and ex-Siolim MLA, Vinod Paliencar disclosed that while the road widening project was approved during his tenure, it never involved the extensive tree cutting and demolition of property witnessed recently.
He criticised the lack of consideration for alternatives and recounted the distress of affected residents witnessing the destruction of their property.
“What is happening is totally wrong. The age-old trees should not have been cut. The MLA stood guard while the workers broke down people’s ‘tulsis’ and compound walls in the village. Those affected were crying silently,” Paliencar revealed.
RUSH TO COMPLETE WORK
Former PWD minister and four-time MLA of Siolim, Chandrakant Chodankar, echoed these sentiments, emphasising that the rush to complete the work indicated a deliberate bypassing of necessary approvals.
He suggested that alternatives could have been explored to preserve the trees.
The High Court halted further tree cutting along the road stretch after some locals filed a public interest litigation to stop the massacre of trees, while the forest department has taken action against the contractor responsible for the unauthorised felling.
The former MLAs’ collective condemnation underscores growing concerns over development projects that prioritise expediency over environmental and procedural considerations, prompting calls for greater accountability and transparency in governance.
