Flag water woes, stray dogs, abandoned vehicles
Penha de Franca Sarpanch Swapnil Chodankar is seen addressing villagers.
Porvorim
Several issues were raised at the Gram Sabha held on Sunday, including mega projects, parking problems, tree trimming on the Mandovi bridge, stray dogs, abandoned vehicles on the roadsides, and water harvesting.
Agnelo Pereira informed the meeting that a mega project comprising 8 villas and 8 swimming pools is planned on a 3,000 sq metre plot at Pundalik Nagar (Survey No. 107/1/H). He said Porvorim is already facing water shortages and frequent power cuts. Given these problems, he argued, the panchayat should not approve this project.
Sarpanch Swapnil Chodankar responded that the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department has already approved the project, and the Water Resources Department has given permission to dig tube wells. The panchayat had written to the TCP requesting a joint inspection, but no reply was received. The panchayat has kept the matter on hold for the past six months. However, the builder has now complained to the BDO and the Director of Panchayats, alleging that the panchayat secretary and sarpanch are not issuing the construction licence.
Following a detailed discussion, a unanimous resolution was passed stating that no mega projects should be allowed in the Penha de Franca panchayat area.
Villagers also raised the issue of abandoned vehicles lying along the roads, saying they cause traffic problems. They urged the panchayat to write to the concerned authorities and have the vehicles removed. Sarpanch Chodankar said the panchayat had already noted the registration numbers of such vehicles and informed the Deputy Collector, Traffic Police and the local police to take action and remove them.
Ganpat Siddhaye pointed out that several government buildings are located on the Porvorim plateau. Given the ongoing water shortage, he said the authorities should implement rooftop rainwater harvesting. He added that the Biodiversity Committee of the Penha de Franca Panchayat had successfully implemented such systems at the Pundalik Devasthan and the Government High School at Alto-Betim.
Villagers also demanded trimming of trees near the Mandovi bridge, a presentation on the Porvorim Town Square project, control of stray dogs, and regular fogging in each ward.
