Old Goa residents cry foul over proposed bypass

Stray: Locals concerned bypass road widening will endanger their houses

THE GOAN NETWORK

OLD GOA

With Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar making a statement that the Merces to Old Goa bypass road would be completed in six weeks time, residents of Old Goa have raised apprehension over the fate of their houses which are located right in the path of the bypass road.

On Tuesday, the residents of about 11 houses met local MLA Pandurang Madkaikar and sought his intervention in the matter so that the government at least rehabilitates them before any decision of demolishing their houses is taken.

Madkaikar informed the media that following the chief minister’s statement, the people are apprehensive that their houses would be bulldozed any time and hence have sought his help.

“We will not allow the government to touch any of these houses until and unless a proper rehabilitation package is given,” Madkaikar said while adding that when the PWD acquired the land, assurance was given to these residents that they would be compensated and rehabilitated for their loss.

“But till today, nobody has approached these people and there is no sign of rehabilitation,” he stated.

Madkaikar further said the government has worked out a base value of Rs 150 as compensation, which is nothing but peanuts. “None of these residents have accepted the compensation,” he informed.

He then demanded that the government should immediately resolve these types of issues on the terms acceptable to the affected residents.

One of the residents Shanta Naik told The Goan that the government should fulfil its promise of providing them alternate houses before undertaking any demolition exercise as they do have nowhere to go. “Our houses are legal and we have right for a proper rehabilitation package,” she added.

Meanwhile, Madkaikar also came down heavily on the lack of service roads for people staying along the stretch of the bypass road. “At many places, no provision has been made for service roads for people to get access to the bypass road,” he said while adding that it points to the lack of proper planning on part of the authorities concerned.

When questioned whether he has brought the issue to the notice of the government, Madkaikar informed that the chief minister and the PWD minister should be aware of such problems and resolve them at the earliest.

Quote: We will not allow the government to touch any of these houses until and unless a proper rehabilitation package is given - Pandurang Madkaikar