MAPUSA
In a striking role reversal that has caught many by surprise, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo “ a prominent face of the ruling dispensation “ has struck a note more often heard from opposition benches and village activists, calling for a halt to large-scale construction in Arpora-Nagoa and insisting that the village’s carrying capacity has already been breached.
Echoing concerns repeatedly raised in gram sabhas, Lobo urged the Arpora-Nagoa panchayat not to grant permissions for major projects without first undertaking a scientific assessment of the area’s capacity.
“Enough buildings have already come up, and we will not allow more,” he said, warning that any proposal exceeding 60 per cent Floor Area Ratio (FAR) should be rejected.
The stance is significant, given that such arguments have largely been championed by local residents and citizen groups opposing rapid and often unplanned development in the coastal belt.
Lobo went a step further, cautioning against approving residential complexes with 40 to 50 flats and even threatening to take the matter to the High Court if necessary.
“The carrying capacity of Arpora-Nagoa is already full. The focus now should shift to managing essential infrastructure, particularly sewage treatment,” he said.
Flagging glaring infrastructure gaps, the MLA admitted that the village still lacks a proper sewage network and warned of an impending crisis if development continues unchecked.
While a Rs 7-crore sewage treatment plant is currently on trial and expected to be inaugurated next week, he indicated that this alone may not be sufficient to meet rising demand.
Lobo also acknowledged what many in the tourism sector have been quietly admitting “ that Arpora-Nagoa’s hospitality segment has reached saturation. With several hotels already struggling with low occupancy, he opposed the construction of new hotels, stating that increasing room inventory will not necessarily translate into higher tourist footfall.
On enforcement, Lobo adopted a hardline approach, directing police action against establishments operating without valid panchayat licences or mandatory clearances.
He said the panchayat would be formally asked to seal such units, including a massage parlour that has reportedly come up at the site of the now-defunct Mehfil nightclub.
Despite being part of the ruling establishment “ and having known links to the real estate sector “ Lobo’s remarks have been seen as a rare alignment with grassroots sentiment.
For many villagers, it signals a shift in tone from within the system itself, even if the real test will lie in how firmly these words translate into action on the ground.
