MAPUSA
After nearly five months of sustained protests by villagers against the proposed luxury township project at Karapur-Sarvan, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday assured the Goa Assembly that he would meet a delegation of the protesting villagers.
The assurance came after Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and RGP MLA Viresh Borkar raised the issue during Zero Hour, drawing the government’s attention to the prolonged agitation and the concerns being raised by residents over the proposed mega project by the House of Abhinandan Lodha.
Raising the issue, Alemao said there was growing fear and anxiety among villagers of Karapur-Sarvan in Bicholim taluka, with their protest completing its 150th day on Thursday.
He said the villagers had been opposing the proposed luxury township over concerns relating to the local ecology, water resources, village demography, traffic infrastructure, livelihoods and the impact the project could have on the character of the surrounding villages.
“The Chief Minister along with the Minister for TCP and Minister for Panchayats should jointly take steps to engage with the local villagers. The weaker sections should not be left to the mercy of real estate developers and their patience put to test for so long,” Alemao said.
Borkar said the sustained protest by residents of Karapur-Sarvan and surrounding areas reflected serious concerns over their rights, livelihoods and the environment. He urged the government to immediately engage with representatives of the affected people and address their concerns.
“For 150 days, residents have been protesting over concerns affecting their rights, livelihoods and environment. Their voices deserve to be heard,” Borkar said, urging the government to initiate a meaningful dialogue and take necessary steps in a fair, transparent and time-bound manner.
The protest, which has continued for close to five months, has brought together villagers opposed to the proposed township, with residents maintaining that the scale of the development could have far-reaching implications for the village and its surrounding areas. The protesters have been seeking greater scrutiny of the project and have repeatedly raised concerns over its potential impact on water availability, the environment, traffic and the existing social fabric of the area.
With the agitation entering its 150th day, the villagers have continued to press for direct engagement with the government and a response to the issues they have raised.
The Chief Minister’s assurance to meet their delegation is expected to provide an opportunity for the protesters to place their concerns directly before the government.
