Uproar over resumption of work at construction site in Benaulim

While the Sarpanch Diella Fernandes said the stop work order can be issued only after discussing at the panchayat meeting, people demanded that the Sarpanch convene the meeting. Since it was too late, the Sarpanch told the agitated residents that she would call for a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the construction work.  

Agitated residents contended that work at the construction site at Mazilwaddo has resumed again even after the panchayat had issued the stop work order. When the residents confronted the Sarpanch to justify the resumption of work at the construction site, she attributed the work to the order issued by the deputy Director of Panchayats.  

A resident Paul Rebello later told the media that the residents have questioned the panchayat as to how work at the construction site has resumed when the panchayat had issued a stop work order. He said the panchayat is not initiating action even though the construction work at the site is going on full swing.  

The residents had raised their objection to the construction project on the ground that the road leading to the project site is not six meters wide as claimed by the panchayat. When this question was posed to the Sarpanch whether she had come across the six-meter wide road at the site, Diella told the media that she was preoccupied with another issue at the site when the site inspection was carried out by the panchayat body.  

Paul said the Sarpanch has assured to call an emergency meeting of the panchayat body on Tuesday morning at 11 am to take a decision on the construction project.  

Another resident Santan Silva told the media that the road leading to the project site is too narrow,  adding that the residents of the area are opposed to the widening of the existing road to six meters.  

The residents pointed out further that trucks come to the site late night, adding that they will be  forced to knock the doors of the court if no action is taken in the matter.