OLD GOA
Residents of Siridao have objected to unwanted construction being undertaken by the Tourism Department at the beachfront.
The locals who gathered in large numbers on Tuesday informed reporters that the Tourism Department is undertaking beautification of the beachfront.
“We are not opposed to the development but a compound wall has been constructed and iron pillars have been installed for installation of a gate. We are opposed to that,” a local, Seby Gracias, informed.
Explaining further, Gracias informed that the wall obstructs the viewpoint of the beach and it is also abutting the pathway to a private residence, belonging to a minister’s brother. After a gate is installed, then the owner of the private residence will claim ownership to the land belonging to the public,” he stated.
“We are objecting to the activity and we demand that the wall be demolished along with the iron pillars,” another villager added.
Later, the villagers rushed to the panchayat but neither the sarpanch nor the secretary were present.
When The Goan tried to contact Sarpanch Suvarna Kunolienkar over the phone, the calls went unanswered.
The locals have now demanded that the panchayat should call for a special meeting on the issue.
Locals upset over local MLA’s absence
OLD GOA: Even as the Siridao locals opposed the unwanted development on the beachfront, they questioned the absence of the local MLA Viresh Borkar despite his assurance that he would remain present.
“The MLA had assured that he would remain present for the meeting but he did not turn up. It appears that the MLA is more interested in solving the problems of other constituencies. We helped the MLA get elected from the constituency and he should be present during times of our needs,” local Seby Gracias informed.
When The Goan tried to contact MLA Viresh Borkar, the calls went unanswered. But, his close aides informed that Borkar was present at Collem to address the issues faced by the Dudhsagar jeep operators.
The villagers have now questioned whether MLA Borkar has no interest in addressing issues of his own constituency.
