Bardez Joint Mamlatdar Rajaram Parab while addressing the protesting locals in Nerul.
Photo Credits: Anil Shankhwalker
PORVORIM
Angry residents of Nerul blocked the Candolim-Betim road at Nerul on Thursday morning, to protest against the failure of the Dy Collector and Mamlatdar to visit Nerul to convey the government’s decision about the mobile tower being erected near the market area.
Bardez Mamlatdar Rajaram Parab had mentioned to locals on Wednesday that he would discuss the issue with the Dy Collector and convey the decision by 10 am on Thursday.
When neither the Dy Director nor the Mamlatdar arrived in Nerul till 11 am, the locals decided to resort to blocking the road.
Motorists were taken by surprise and were forced to turn back and take an alternate route to go to Porvorim/Panjim and Candolim/Calangute. Saligao MLA Kedar Naik and Porvorim Police Inspector Anant Gaonkar rushed to the site to avoid any untoward incident.
Since the locals were not prepared to clear the road, PI Gaonkar reported the matter to Joint Mamlatdar Bardez, who assured to reach Nerul within half an hour.
Accordingly, Parab arrived at around 11.45 am and mentioned to the locals that he had discussed the issue with his superiors and an official of the mobile tower company.
He said the balance work of the mobile tower will be kept in abeyance till the panchayat election and code of conduct is over.
Once the results of the panchayat election is announced, Parab said the State government will convey its decision and requested the locals not to take the law in their hand.
Leader of the locals Bappa Korgaonkar said the locals were not bothered about the panchayat election and wanted the mobile tower to be removed immediately.
“We cannot wait till the panchayat election is over. The health of locals, especially children, is at stake. If the mobile tower is not removed, the residents will boycott the panchayat election,” warned Korgaonkar.
Saligao MLA Kedar Naik stated that the tower company should have taken locals into confidence before erecting the tower.
“The company kept locals in the dark and erected this tower. If locals don’t want this tower, the company should remove it and erect it elsewhere. Since this tower is in the midst of a residential locality, people are worried about their health,” said Naik, while pledging his support to the locals.
