the goan I network
MAPUSA
Blatant land filling of low-lying fields in Bastora has taken several locals of the tranquil village by surprise, some even questioning whether the activity was taking place under political patronage.
Recently, unscrupulous elements were caught dumping construction material by the side of the road into the open fields in Xell, Bastora.
Some alert citizens caught a truck driver on camera while dumping mud and construction material in the open fields. “Such land-filling activity has been going on at several places in the village. Now, people have also started dumping mud in the rivers,” said Andrew D’Souza, ex-panch of Bastora.
A local informed that taking advantage of the ongoing widening work of the NH17 a lot of people have begun dumping mud in fields.
Recently, the district collector in an order had directed panchayats to initiate action against people found dumping construction material in open space.
The collector had also designated spots to dump construction material along the NH17 from Guirim to Karasvaddo. The land where the alleged illegal land-filling was going on belongs to Bastora comunidade.
Bastora comunidade attorney Collin Monteiro told The Goan that he has complained to the local panchayat and the collector’s office.
“The flying squad has visited the place. They will now issue show cause notice to the tenant,” Monteiro informed.
Monteiro further said if no action is taken by the authorities, then the communidade will intervene and take suo moto action and remove the debris dumped in the fields.
Opposing the land-filling in low lying area, Bastora Sarpanch Savio Martins said based on the complaint of the communidade, the panchayat has issued a show cause notice to a tenant of the place.
“It’s a low lying and catchment area. We have to protect it. We have powers to remove the dump,” Martins said.
He informed that inspection of the site has been fixed on June 30 and based on the report further action will be initiated.
