OLD GOA
A second attempt by a contractor to install a mobile tower in Old Goa on Wednesday night was foiled by locals, who confronted the contractor and told him to produce NOCs from the panchayat and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Earlier on January 21, the Old Goa panchas had stopped the installation work when the contractor was trying to install the tower near the panchayat and very close to the school.
This time though, the work on the installation of the tower was undertaken in the parking lot and that too, during the night.
News of the activity spread and locals gathered and asked the contractor to first produce NOCs from the panchayat and ASI as the area comes under heritage zone.
“The contractor could only produce an NOC from the PWD. He had no NOCs from the panchayat and ASI. For installation of the tower so close to the Basilica of Bom Jesus, an NOC from the ASI is mandatory,” former sarpanch Vinayak Phadte informed The Goan.
“Also, what was the need to start the work at night time? If they have all valid permissions then the work can be done during daytime,” Phadte added.
Another local Rudresh Mayenkar also opined that they forced the contractor to stop the work as he had no NOCs from ASI and panchayat.
Locals Mario Furtado and Sandesh Mashelkar were also present to voice their opposition.
After opposition by the locals, the workers stopped the work on tower installation and wound up their activity.
