PORVORIM
Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte has said that the State government appears to be very confused about the environment.
“On the one side, the government is advising the public to protect the environment and on the other side, thousands of trees have been cut for projects in the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife sanctuary and Mollem National Park. Coal transportation is being encouraged,” said Khaunte.
“The backbone of Goa’s economy is tourism and tourists visit Goa for its natural beauty. Hence, the State government should only grant permission to environment-friendly projects,” said Khaunte.
He was speaking at Porvorim after launching a cleanliness drive organised by Porvorim Rising in association with Penha de Franca panchayat at the Service Road.
Others present included Penha de Franca Sarpanch Swapnil Chodankar, Deputy Sarpanch Manisha Naik, Panch members Shamsundar Kamat, Shalu Gupta, Gurunath Vernekar and others.
“The Service Road was completed in 2015. This road is presently being used not only by vehicles but also by people for leisure and exercises, like jogging.”
“However, street lights on this road is inconsistently lit. According to a condition of the electricity department, the panchayat has agreed for a cess in the electricity bill, but there has been no improvement,” said Khaunte.
The MLA said residents of Porvorim were forced to protest on the streets to get their water problems solved.
“Similarly, it appears that residents will have to come out on the streets again to insist on street lights on the Service Road,” he said.
Khaunte said it is the responsibility of all residents to maintain cleanliness in their villages and to protect public property.
“The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation had installed several artefacts by the side of the Service Road after spending lakhs of rupees. But some miscreants have vandalised those artefacts. The objective of ‘Clean Porvorim, Green Porvorim’ can only be achieved with the cooperation of residents,” said Khaunte.
