Residents of Curca oppose widening of village roads

OLD GOA

With the structures along roadsides facing demolition due to High Court order, the Curca gram sabha on Sunday passed a resolution that there should be no road widening in the village as the existing roads are sufficient enough.

The villagers opined that if the HC order is implemented then majority of the structures of the locals would have to be demolished which cannot be allowed.

“These structures existed for ages, even before the roads were built, and should not be touched. Also, the existing roads are sufficient enough to meet the demands of the locals and there is no need for any road widening in Curca, Bambolim and Telaulim villages,” Marvin Gonsalves stated while adding that the roads of 10, 15 and 20 meters are proposed roads, not existing roads.

Later, a resolution was passed opposing road widening in the village and that the same should be sent to all authorities concerned.

Another resolution was also approved in which the panchayat authorities were urged to request the locals not to sell land to outsiders.

“There are many issues cropping up like water scarcity, mega projects, etc and this happens because the land is sold to outsiders. Therefore, the panchayat should ask all panchas to request the villagers to stop sale of land to outsiders,” said a local Gautam Naik who opined that if the root cause is tackled then problems won’t arise.

Another local Sudesh Kandolkar moved a resolution to protect the biodiversity of the village which includes wildlife, birds, springs, medicinal plants and trees, etc.

“There is a need to protect the biodiversity of the village and everything should be documented in the People’s Biodiversity Register,” he demanded which the panchayat authorities agreed as it was informed that the Biodiversity Management Committee of the village is involved in the task.

Kandolkar also moved a resolution to act against those who are throwing garbage along roadsides and open areas. “People have given their houses or rooms on rent and the tenants mostly are involved in throwing garbage around. Therefore the panchayat should act against the tenants as well as the house owners if they are found dumping garbage in the open,” Kandolkar urged.

Resolution adopted to protect local heritage sites

OLD GOA: The Curca gram sabha resolved on the need to declare heritage areas in the village as protected sites. The  sites include fort wall at Moula, RajBid road, Raja Soundekar Palace  along with well and spring, Curca bridge and Aarcar Spring.

The  panchayat authorities informed that the proposal has been taken up by  the Biodiversity Management Committee and the resolution will be sent to  all the authorities concerned to initiate the process of declaring  these heritage sites as protected areas.