MARGAO
The gram sabha of the village Panchayat of Seraulim on Sunday has resolved to oppose any increase in the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) saying the existing infrastructure pertaining to power, water and waste management is not sufficient to take care of the present requirements.
At the gram sabha meeting chaired by Deputy Sarpanch Leslie Dourado, the members pointed out that moves are afoot in certain quarters to increase the FAR of the village. They feared that any such move to increase the FAR will have a disastrous consequence on the village in the absence of infrastructure to handle the waste management, power and water supply.
The gram sabha members also demanded the upkeep and maintenance of the Seraulim underpass which has been in the news during the monsoons for waterlogging. Members pointed out that the water from the storm water nullah has been entering the underpass for want of maintenance of the water drainage.
Participating in the discussions, gram sabha member Kevin D’Souza pointed out that the Railway Underpass has no drainage system in its current form, adding “this needs to be addressed with the PWD as with moderate rainfall also the water gets accumulated and does not drain out.”
The issue of construction of the western bypass on stilts also came up for discussion with members insisting that the bypass stretch passing through neighbouring Benaulim village should also be built on stilts. Members also raised the issue of river Sal water contamination and the water aerating project underway at the river Sal near the wholesale fish market. It was pointed out that the Panchayat is not aware of the project details since the authorities have not shared the project information with the panchayat.
