the goan I network
MARGAO
A flying squad along with police personnel descended at Sirvodem on Friday following a complaint made by local residents that the low-lying area, which is now proposed to be acquired for a kabrastan was filled up in the past for development of plots in violation of the rules.
The inquiry by the flying squad comes after local residents opposing a kabrastan on the banks of river Sal at Sirvodem had petitioned the Dy Chief Minister Babu Kavlekar, who also holds the Town and Country Planning (TCP) portfolio, to inquire into the filling of the low lying area before the land was proposed for a burial ground.
The petitioner, Xavier Fernandes informed that the flying squad made an inquiry into the complaint lodged by the local residents, hoping that justice will be done to the local residents objecting to the burial grounds in the residential locality.
In the petition, the local residents pointed out that the low-lying area, which was filled up in violation of the law for the purpose of making plots, is not a suitable place for the proposed kabrastan given that the locality is thickly populated.
They further contended that a burial ground along the river banks will only contaminated the ground water as well as the river.
Xavier told the media that the residents hope that the authorities will do a re-think on the setting up of a kabrastan in the thickly populated area of Sirvodem.
He recalled that the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) has kept the proposal on hold and set up a panel to study the issue in detail.
IN fact, SGPDA Chairman Wilfred D’Sa had stated that the PDA will take a call on the contentious issue of the kabrastan after the panel set up by the authority gives its report.
