PORVORIM
Issues relating to a proposed mega project, the rising stray dog population, compound wall height regulations, and the repeal of Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act dominated the gram sabha meeting of the Penha de Franca Village Panchayat held on Sunday.
Sarpanch Swapnil Chodankar welcomed the gathering, while Panchayat Secretary Rupesh Halarnakar read out the minutes of the previous gram sabha meeting.
Addressing the gathering, Chodankar said the panchayat had rejected the proposal submitted by J.B. Realtor for the development of 85 residential plots and four shops in the Housing Board area at Alto-Betim, near the Hanuman Temple. He added that the panchayat had also written to the Directorate of Panchayats requesting it not to grant approval to the project, stating that it would place an additional burden on Porvorim's existing infrastructure.
Agnel Pereira stated that citizens, environmentalists, and opposition parties across Goa have been demanding the repeal of Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act. He proposed that the gram sabha adopt a resolution supporting the demand. Following a detailed discussion, the gram sabha unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the repeal of Section 39A.
Resident Augie D'Mello drew attention to the increasing stray dog population in the Penha de Franca panchayat area. He said two-wheeler riders, particularly at night, face difficulties as stray dogs often chase moving vehicles, and urged the panchayat to take immediate steps to address the issue.
Responding to the concern, Chodankar said the panchayat was searching for suitable land to accommodate stray dogs. He added that the panchayat was willing to construct a dog shelter once an appropriate site was identified.
Villagers also pointed out that work on the Porvorim flyover was nearing completion and suggested that, in line with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's proposal, the area around the 80 pillars of the elevated corridor should be beautified. They urged the panchayat to take up the beautification project on priority.
Ganpat Sidhye raised concerns over the increasing number of compound walls and temporary metal-sheet enclosures exceeding 1.5 metres in height.
He said such enclosures, particularly around construction sites, prevent public visibility of activities inside and violate Goa's standard building regulations. He urged the panchayat not to permit the construction of compound walls or enclosures exceeding the prescribed height limit of 1.5 metres.
