OLD GOA
The villagers of Old Goa reiterated their opposition to the Bainguinim waste plant and warned of hitting the streets if the proposal for the same is not scrapped.
At the gram sabha on Sunday, the villagers cited a JCB machine in action at the site raising apprehension that the work on the plant has started.
Opposing the garbage plant, Pornnem Goencho Nagrik Manch president Ambar Amonkar informed that they are going to hit the street if the government goes ahead with the plant. “Some days back, a JCB was seen at the site and also the vegetation has been put on fire which raises the apprehension that work has already started,” Amonkar said while stating that members of the manch will meet shortly to chalk out future course of action, including hitting the streets.
ZP member Siddesh Naik too reiterated his opposition to the plant and requested the government to scrap the plan on humanitarian grounds as people have bought apartments very close to the site.
“Technically, it may not be possible for the government to scrap the plant but it should do so on humanitarian grounds. Also the site is very close to the world heritage sites and it is ecologically very rich,” Naik stated.
Former sarpanch Prakash Amonkar also extended his support to the demands of the people and affirmed that the entire panchayat will remain with the people in opposing the garbage plant.
Panch Vishal Volvoikar also said that the people will hit the streets if the proposal for garbage plant is not scrapped. “We will not hesitate to hit the street if the government goes against the wishes of the people,” he said.
Meanwhile, the gram sabha also resolved to oppose the declaration of zone of influence for Carambolim Lake as wetland.
“We have demanded that the zone of influence be dropped as it will affect a large number of residential areas,” local Glen Cabral informed while ZP member Siddesh Naik said that the buffer zone should be reduced to 30 percent instead of the 50 percent that is proposed.
A resolution was also adopted against the draft CZMP with locals demanding that additional time should be given to submit suggestions and objections.
“We have also demanded that the public hearing should be held at the panchayat level and not at a common place for entire North Goa,” Cabral stated.
A resolution was also adopted opposing the extension of the GPPDA to inner parts of Old Goa. “Though the government has said that the plan has been dropped, we have demanded that the same should be given in writing,” Cabral stated while adding that a resolution has also been passed opposing any moves to bring in seaplanes and helicopter rides in Old Goa.
