PERNEM
Sopte was speaking during the inspection of beautification work of Khind-Morjim along the Chapora river. Morjim Sarpanch Nilesh Shetgaonkar, Deputy Sarpanch Anuradha Morje, panchas Vaishalli Shetgaonkar, Seema Sangle, Mandar Poke, Uttam Bandekar and locals were present.
During the inspection, Sopte directed the tourism department officials to make some modifications to the Khind-Morjim project, as the project could become a threat to the Chapora river and the houses located along the coast.
Speaking to reporters, Sopte said people do not oppose development projects, but they don’t want harmful projects which are undertaken without taking the locals into confidence.
“During this beautification work, the tourism department cut 28 metres of hill, due to which the remaining part of the hill is facing danger. The mangroves along the Chapora coast were destroyed and mud was dumped into Chapora river for beautification,” he alleged.
“The government also built a huge protection wall along the Chapora river, thus blocking the view of Chapora river,” said Sopte and directed the tourism department officers to demolish the protection wall.
Some villagers urged Sopte to renovate the old sluice gate near the project. Sopte immediately contacted WRD Minister Vinod Palyekar and requested to renovate the old sluice gate.
