PERNEM
While residents have high hopes of development in Pernem taluka with the setting up of the Manohar International Airport at Mopa, local farmers are facing heavy losses as rainwater from the airport has been flowing into their fields Nigalye, Poraskade, Chandel and Hasapur.
The farmers complained that rainwater has been entering into their agricultural fields and horticulture farms, causing losses to their crops but no action has been taken as yet to stop the water from entering the fields.
The farmers claimed that most of them had lost much of their lands for the airport project but they have not yet received any compensation from the government, or even job opportunities at the airport.
“The company announces that farmers who suffer losses due to the rainwater will be compensated but in reality, no compensation is being offered yet. This has been happening this year too,” said one farmer.
Around 40 hectares of farmland and the paddy fields have gone to waste at Nigalye, Poraskade, Chandel, Hasapur. The government has promised to pay compensation before Chaturthi, but there is no actual implementation as yet.”
Claiming that Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar had discussed with the local panchayat, farmers and locals about the issue and means to control rainwater from entering the fields, locals said the MLA had demanded action from the company, but nothing has been done so far.
“Last year too, a large amount of rainwater from the airport had entered the farmlands and caused losses. The same is repeated this year too. But neither the company nor the government has paid any heed of this issue,” said a local Bharat Bagkar.
“There is a concrete jungle all over and so, rainwater does not seep into the soil. Instead, it flows into the lower areas and floods homes, temples, roads, and agricultural lands.”
Another local Uday Mahale warned that if the rainwater keeps flowing into homes and villages, a number of houses in the area would be under threat.
“Agricultural land will also remain fallow if they are constantly flooded with rainwater.”
