the goan I network
MAPUSA
The Tivim gram sabha on Sunday gave a resounding “no” to the widening of State highway, housing board project and mega hotel project in Assonora. Opposing the widening of State highway from Karrasvaddo to Tivim and Assonora which has now been declared as national highway, villager Robert Colaco said the new proposal to widen the road will disturb village life.
“At least one temple, two chapels and old ancestral houses will have to be demolished to make way for the road,” Colaco said.
Requesting that the present road be maintained, he said the government should instead consider developing the bypass road from Colvale jail via Tivim to Assonora which was planned under RP-2021.
Villagers also opposed government plans to set up housing board in Ambeani in Tivim.
Colaco said, government statistics state that one lakh-odd dwellings are unoccupied in the State. “If so many dwellings are up for grabs there is no need for housing in the State for next 10 years,” he said.
He said villagers in Tivim experience massive power outage and irregular supply of water during the summer. “Additional housing units will add pressure on the existing infrastructure and lead to further problems,” he added.
He further said that the housing board project was proposed in forest land which helps in the replenishment of ground water.
Villagers also opposed the mega hotel project coming up close to the Assonora water treatment plant. “Sewage from the hotel will drain into the Assonora river, the water of which is treated and used as drinking water for people in Bardez,” Colaco stated.
