Residents of Patnem along with Councillor Shubham Komarpant, RGP leader Prashant Pagi, social activists Vaibhav Phaldesai and Sanjan Naik outside the Canacona's TCP office on Tuesday.
Residents of Patnem in Canacona municipality marched to the Deputy Town Planner’s Office in Chaudi-Canacona on Tuesday, to object to permission granted to a mega project in their locality.
The protesters were, however, forced out of the Dy Town Planner’s office after TCP officials called up the police, but assured to provide the protestors details of the site inspection which led the TCP office to give its permission to the mega project.
The agitated locals had sought to know how a report claimed that a 6-metre-wide road exists, when in reality the road is only 3.5 metres wide. Their queries went unanswered, as the locals demanded to see the Dy Town Planner’s report.
According to residents, the Dy Town Planner has given a report stating that there exists a 6-metre-wide road, and it needs to be developed to 10 metres, when in reality around 75 metres of the road leading to the proposed mega project is barely above 3 metres, with at least 15 houses on both sides of the road.
“How can the road be extended to 10 metres, which is proposed for the mega project,” asks local social activist, Vaibhav Phaldesai.
Councillor Shubham Komarpant, who led the protest to the Dy Town Planner’s office, stating he has sent letters to the Deputy Collector and CMC chief officer, stating that no mega projects are needed in Canacona.
“There is no sewerage line in Canacona, and we had seen these types of projects releasing their sewerage in Nullahs, drains, streams and rivulets creating nuances in the localities they are built,” said Komarpant.
“I had moved resolutions in CMC meetings twice not to approve this mega project, besides also moving applications in July for a joint inspection. Despite this, the council granted permission and a joint inspection is still not yet done. Someone is benefitted by such acts, but the entire ward pays the price by suffering from such mega projects.”
Added RGP leader Prashant Pagi, “Until action on the official concerned who prepared this false report is not taken, and the approval granted to this project is not withdrawn, we will strongly rally behind the people.”
