Heated discussion erupted during the gram sabha of Sanvordem village panchayat over a mega housing project in Goychemol village, which is facing opposition from residents.
A villager and a promoter of the housing project nearly got into a scuffle, which was avoided due to the intervention of the police.
The villagers have been opposing the project since it was proposed a year ago.
Residents in the adjacent areas have claimed that the project would be denied the right of way which they have been using for decades. The villagers have also highlighted that emergency vehicles would not be able to access the area.
They claimed that the proposed site of the project has been used by them for various religious and cultural activities for many generations.
Notably, the developer got the required approvals from the panchayat while it was under being run by the state administration due to the recently concluded polls.
Highlighting his case before the gram sabha members and the panchayat body, the developer claimed that the panchayat cannot stop him from going ahead with the project as he has obtained all the necessary clearances from the concerned authorities.
He also claimed the objections raised by the villagers cannot be sustained due to the approvals granted to him.
However, the panchayat body has assured the villagers that they will take legal opinion in the matter before permitting the developer to go ahead with the project.
