MARGAO
He came, he heard and left for the Raj Bhavan after assuring Saxtti village heads to look into the problems, including some burning issues plaguing the villages for a while now.
Newly-elected sarpanchas and stakeholders positively look forward to Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai’s intervention in resolving their long-pending issues right from the devolution of powers to the panchayats under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment to the burning and controversial issues such as the western bypass in Benaulim, Dandeavaddo bypass in Chinchinim or sprucing up of the tourism infrastructure.
Some of the panchayats even look forward to calling on the Governor post-Ganesh Chaturthi to personally explain to him the issues threadbare and work out solutions.
Says Benaulim sarpanch Xavier Pereira: “The governor is no stranger to the issue of western bypass plaguing Benaulim. In the past, a delegation had called on the governor to brief him how the bypass, if built sans stilts, will devastate and inundate the low-lying areas during monsoons.”
He added: “Our case in support of the bypass on stilts has been further strengthened after the Water Resources Department came out with a damning report that construction sans stilts will result in flooding. We have now asked the governor to use his good offices to implore upon the Goa government to build the bypass on stilts.”
Xavier’s Chinchinim counterpart, Valentino Barretto also echoed similar sentiments over the governor’s visit. “We have hope that Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai’s intervention can help solve the long-pending issues in Chinchinin such as the construction of the panchayat ghar and sports complex. Land for the project was acquired in around 2006, but the project has still not seen the light of the day. The panchayat will do a follow-up with the Governor to take the project to the logical conclusion,” he said.
The Chinchinim sarpanch also looks forward to the Governor resolving the issue of NH 66 passing through the village. “The village has been kept in the dark over the highway, whether it would be expanded via the existing alignment or taken via the alternate. We hope to get a positive signal through the Governor’s office,” he added.
Coastal villages looking for turnaround in tourism infra
MARGAO:
Salcete coastal villages, including world-famous Colva and Cavelossim, besides Varca, are looking forward to the Governor bringing about a turnaround in the tourism infrastructure.
In their representations, sarpanchas of these three panchayats had made a strong case to the Governor to spruce up the beach infrastructure. And, they seemed confident that things will move up post the visit of Governor Pillai.
Says Cavelossim sarpanch Dixon Vaz: “Being a coastal village, Cavelossim is a well-known tourist destination. We need proper beach accesses, adequate parking spaces with high mast lights, washrooms etc.”
He lamented that despite being a major tourist destination with the village playing host to several luxury resorts, it still lacks proper public transport.
His Colva counterpart, Suzie Fernandes says the bridges at the beach need upgradation as they have outlived their utility. She has further called for urgent measures for the protection of the coast from soil erosion since Colva is a tourist area.
Says Varca sarpanch Salesiana Fernandes: “Varca being a coastal village, tourism plays an important role in its economy. Tourism has been providing livelihoods to entrepreneurs and employees. A very good tourist season reflects positively in the books of business establishments in the village. The natural beauty of Varca attracts lots of visitors. It is but natural for administrators to offer courtesy to all visitors.”
Amongst measures to spruce up the infrastructure, the panchayat has called for a high mast for illumination of the beach belt, broadening of the bridge at the main beach and its reconstruction, aesthetically. CCTV cameras to deter crime and improve general safety and well-maintained change rooms, lockers, toilets and security were other measures suggested.
Fishermen see ray of hope in battle for land at Benaulim
MARGAO:
Traditional fishermen see a ray of hope that their long-pending claim over a portion of the Fisheries department land at Benaulim may fructify after Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai’s visit to coastal Benaulim.
The community had been waging a sustained battle to stop the Fisheries department from leasing out the prized land admeasuring 50,000 square meters to private players via the Private Public Partnership (PPP) model. They want the government to earmark land admeasuring 5,000 square metres for the community to pursue their traditional occupation.
Says fishermen Pele Fernandes: “We had in the past knocked on the doors of the ministers and the MLAs to give us 5,000 square metres of land of the prawn hatchery. We have now placed the demand before Governor Pillai. I played a video showing how our prawn catch was destroyed for want of storage facilities at the beach. He has understood our plight and has given a positive signal that our issue will be placed with the government.”
Pele said the traditional fishermen want the land in question to store their fishing canoes and nets as well as to create fish storage facilities right at the beach.
