VASCO
RDA Minister Michael Lobo has underscored the need for more developments in rural areas of the State.
Lobo was speaking to reporters after inaugurating the work to renovate the stage and compound wall at Upasnagar and to develop an area around Shree Krishna Devasthan, Bellem-Velsao, under Rural Development Agency (RDA) in Cortalim in the presence of Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha and others.
Lobo said he had recently visited some remote areas of Goa where there was no mobile connectivity and in some places there was no electricity.
“Rural areas in Goa have not developed as expected and there is a need to undertake development in these places to support and help people.”
“At one location, there is some rivalry between two mobile network companies and therefore, there is some network issue there. I will put a note to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to sort this matter. Good connectivity is the need of the hour,” said Lobo.
“Sometimes, the forest department may not allow even a pathway for people living in such areas and this is not right. Although it is a declared forest area, people residing there should also get facilities.”
“Under the Goa Waste Management Corporation, we are planning to give toilets to people in remote areas,” said Lobo.
When asked about the garbage management issue, Lobo informed that there was some opposition to build a waste treatment plant in South Goa.
“Today, the mentality is such that people are even opposing waste from nearby wards. In North Goa, the situation is different as compared to the South. In coastal areas as well as in interior parts of North Goa, door-to-door garbage collection is going on.”
“We need three waste management plants and one incineration plant if we think of keeping Goa clean.”
He informed that work on the Cacora waste treatment plant is likely to completed by September.
“Curchorem MLA and Power Minister Nilesh Cabral will decide how many villages will send their waste to be treated at this plant,” said Lobo.
