Special gram sabha of Varca village panchayat demanding carrying capacity study before approving housing projects and resorts.
MARGAO
When Mumbai-based Raheja’s proposed a whopping 600-odd apartments housing project in the quiet village of Carmona in the mid-2000s, Carmonkars rose in unison to oppose it. Their concerns centred around the fact that the demography of the village would change overnight, tilting heavily in favour of outsiders, with fears that they may be rendered strangers in their own land.
This opposition marked the birth of the anti-mega housing movement in Salcete before the agitation soon spread across the state.
That was over a decade and a half ago, a time when vigilant villagers across Salcete and beyond flooded gram sabhas with a single agenda—to oppose mega housing projects in their villages. They cited inadequate infrastructure, including narrow roads, erratic water supply, and inconsistent power, as reasons for their resistance.
After a lull, a storm is once again brewing along the Salcete coast. Residents of coastal villages such as Betalbatim, Varca, and Benaulim are now rallying to block large-scale housing and resort developments in their backyards. The resistance, especially vocal in Betalbatim, Varca, and Benaulim, is now spreading to villages across the River Sal.
Across Salcete, villages are demanding carrying capacity studies before granting any approvals for new housing projects. The frustration is compounded by a striking contrast: while developers promise swimming pools for new buyers, local residents complain that their taps barely trickle.
Varca, Betalbatim demand
carrying capacity studies
At a recent special gram sabha, Varca villagers passed a unanimous resolution: no permissions for housing projects exceeding four multi-dwelling units without a carrying capacity study.
Betalbatim villagers, too, have sustained their opposition to projects designed primarily for outsiders. For months, they’ve been demanding a halt to new approvals until a thorough carrying capacity assessment is conducted.
Anti-mega housing sentiments echo loudly at every gram sabha meeting of the Betalbatim panchayat, with calls to halt all new housing projects. In a recent meeting, the chair assured villagers of full support, noting that around 20 housing proposals have already been rejected.
Earlier this month, Varca witnessed an uproar during a special gram sabha. Social activist Sohail Furtado, who has been at the forefront of the campaign, made it clear: no approvals for projects exceeding four units without a capacity study. Panchayat members led by Sarpanch Flavia Barretto have rallied behind the villagers in support of the demand for a carrying capacity study.
Opposition spreads
across the River Sal
With housing projects proposing 100 per cent Floor Area Ratio (FAR) springing up in neighboring areas, Telaulim villagers have firmly said "no" to such plans. At a recent gram sabha, villagers asked their Panchayat to write to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department requesting a blanket denial of 100 FAR projects in their village. While the resolution has been accepted by the Panchayat, all eyes are now focussed on the TCP, with questions raised whether the planning body will uphold the decision.
In Raia, a recent gram sabha saw villagers vote against any housing project exceeding 10 dwelling units, signaling growing unrest.
Meanwhile, Nuvem villagers had earlier voiced their apprehensions about large-scale housing developments. They, too, are demanding a carrying capacity study to assess the sustainability of such projects.
From Betalbatim to Raia, and Varca to Telaulim, villagers are once again united in their demand: development must not come at the cost of sustainability, infrastructure, or local identity. With resistance gaining momentum, all eyes are now on the planning authorities—and whether they will heed the voice of the villages.
