Locals irked over tourism dept creek beautification proposal

Sarpanch Bindiya Naik addresses the villagers.

PORVORIM

There were heated arguments between the villagers and the panch members over presentation of the beautification of the Salvador do Mundo creek under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 by Tourism department  in the gram sabha of Salvador do Mundo held on Sunday.

 The panchayat secretary Rupesh Halarnkar mentioned that the panchayat has received a letter from Tourism department conveying their desire to make the presentation of the Salvador do Mundo creek beatification in the gram sabha to be held on November 9. However since the time was short panchayat informed the Tourism department that it is  not possible to hold presentation in Sunday's  gram sabha. Some villagers rose to mention that since they don’t want the said project in the village there was no need for presentation from Tourism department.

Reena Fernandes mentioned that since the last gram sabha held on August 17 the resolution was taken unanimously to request Tourism department to make a presentation of the aforesaid project. If that resolution is overruled before six months, it will amount to violation of Panchayat Raj Act.

Sarpanch  Bindiya Naik    mentioned that ward members will approach the residents ward wise and take the opinion of the people whether they want presentation of the project or not and accordingly they will write to Tourism department .

Dinesh Dias demanded a presentation of the proposed Chorao-Salvador do Mundo bridge and the approach road. The villagers have been demanding the said presentation for the last 4 years, said Dias.

Some villagers mentioned that a suspension bridge named ‘Bridge of Dreams’ has been constructed at Torda and the visitors are charged Rs50 per head by the owner. Tourists park their vehicles on the road and create traffic jam. They sought to know whether panchayat has given permission for the said suspension bridge and if the panchayat is getting any revenue.

The sarpanch replied that panchayat has not given permission for the construction of said suspension bridge and they are not getting revenue thereof.

Sheldon Rebello mentioned that the internal roads in Defence colony are closed and he sought to know whether panchayat has permitted the colony to close the roads.

The sarpanch replied that parnchayat has not given permission to close the road and that they will take necessary step to open the internal roads for vehicular traffic.

The issues of illegal constructions, drains, construction of retaining walls, etc were also discussed in the gram sabha.

Earlier Deputy Sarpanch Rajesh Savoikar welcomed the gathering and Namrata Chodankar proposed a vote of thanks.