No demolition while redeveloping GHB colony at New Vaddem: Mauvin

the goan I network
VASCO
Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho on Tuesday assured  the people that their houses would not be demolished while redeveloping the Goa Housing Board (GHB) colony at New Vaddem.
Godinho was responding to concerns by several residents of GHB colony at New Vaddem, who met with him to discuss the notices sent to 500 GHB tenements to clear encroachments within 15 days, failing which GHB would take action.  
Residents of GHB for over three decades feared that GHB would go ahead with the demolition of houses, and the notices had come as a rude shock to them. 
However, Godinho assured the concerned residents that no more notices would be served and that, he had discussed the issue with CM Manohar Parrikar and Housing Board Minister Jayesh Salgaoncar on Monday. 
“There are plans to redevelop the area and provide better housing facilities to the residents. Meetings will be convened with Salgaoncar before the new plan is taken up. There would be no demolition and residents should not worry,” said Godinho. 
Later speaking to reporters, Godinho said, “Notices have been sent as a procedure to adopt laws to prevent illegal encroachment in the area. They are small tenements and there are a few places where even 10 people are staying in a small room.” 
“Land is available and families have increased so we have told them that like other states, we could go for redevelopment of the colony, wherein they could be provided better flats and amenities. Various state and central agencies like housing board, HUDCO, NABARD give soft loans for such work,” said Godinho. 
“Just because low profile workers are staying there, we cannot ignore them and we have to think about giving them better housing with facilities like gardens, roads, toilets and planned development with better sewage and garbage facilities.” 
“I have told them that they should first discuss among themselves, and then we can take this project forward. We will not demolish even a single house, but instead we will give them better housing facilities and then shift them there,” said Godinho.