Panchayat rejects proposal, builder petitions DoP; Panch threatens to resign if permission given to builder
PORVORIM
Residents of Paithona in Salvador do Mundo have raised an alarm against a proposed mega residential project on the Paithona hilltop, with a panch even threatening to resign if the project gets approval.
Speaking to reporters, Salvador do Mundo panch Dattarm Redkar mentioned that a file has been received in the panchayat requesting permission to construct a mega residential project of 51 flats on 8,000 sq. mtrs of land.
After discussing the project in their meeting, the panchayat decided not to grant a construction licence for this project and unanimously rejected the proposal. The builder has now approached the Directorate of Panchayats to grant approval for this project and a hearing has been fixed on February 19.
“The builder has more land in the area and information gathered from reliable sources reveals that the builder proposes to construct around 400 flats in the area. If this project is approved, it will spell disaster for the villagers,” said Redkar.
“In Paithona, there are hardly about 400 houses and if another 400 flats are constructed, there will be several problems. In the first place, there is water scarcity in Paithona and if this project comes into existence, residents of Paithona will face severe water scarcity.”
“Further, it will add burden to electricity supply and garbage collection. If this project is given a construction licence, I will resign from the panchayat,” warned Redkar.
Another panch, Vijay Dalvi, mentioned that it is not known on what basis authorities have given permission for the mega residential project.
“Officials have surely not visited this place. This is a sloping area and there are several fruit-bearing trees such as mangoes, jackfruits, cashew, etc. The panchayat has written to the Directorate of Panchayats and the Block Development Office not to grant permission for this project at any cost,” said Dalvi.
“The state government has shifted the projects of Unity Mall and Prashasan Stambh due to the agitation by residents of Chimbel. Residents of Paithona will be forced to stage a similar agitation if the project is given permission,” warned Dalvi.
Engineer Alwyn Pachem also spoke on this occasion and appealed to residents to oppose this project till it is totally scrapped.
