OLD GOA
Upset over the non-restoration of the Nauxim spring as promised by a developer of a commercial housing complex, several locals accompanied by St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar met the developer and demanded that the spring be restored at the earliest.
The villagers informed The Goan that in 2019 the retaining wall of the housing complex gave way and the developer had approached them to allow access through the spring to reconstruct the wall.
“The developer promised that after undertaking the reconstruction of the retaining wall, he would restore the spring and the pond,” a villager pointed out and informed that a written assurance to this effect was given to the villagers on February 2, 2021.
“However, till date, the developer has failed to keep his promise and to rub salt to the wound, the developer was in the process of building another retaining wall in close proximity of the spring and the pond,” another villager added.
It was then that the villagers decided to seek St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar’s help to pressure the developer in fulfilling the demands of the villagers.
Speaking to The Goan, Borkar said it is his third visit to Nauxim to get the issue resolved.
“On two earlier occasions, I have come here and listened to the problems faced by the villagers due to the destruction of the spring and the pond by dumping mud,” Borkar added.
“After my earlier visits, the developer has restored the spring but has failed to restore the pond. The villagers then informed me that instead of restoring the pond, the developer went ahead in undertaking work of construction of another retaining wall in close proximity of the spring and the pond,” he said.
“After the villagers objected, I along with the villagers met the developer who has promised that he would start work on restoring the pond,” Borkar added.
The MLA informed that the spring and the pond have a history of several hundred years, and the villagers are emotionally and culturally attached to the same.
“The villagers are only demanding that the spring and the pond be restored to its original position so that they can continue with the culture and tradition that they have been observing for generations,” Borkar informed and stated that he will support the villagers to get the work done to their satisfaction.
“There will be a coordination committee of the villagers who will coordinate with the developer and get the restoration work done. If the work is not done to the satisfaction of the villagers, then I will see to it that the developer is not allowed to do any other work in the area,” Borkar said.
“Not only the spring and the pond, but the natural pathway has also got to be restored,” the MLA informed.
