MAPUSA
The villagers of Siolim-Marna on Sunday unanimously decided not to allow hill cutting activity and further said no to mega projects in the village until the government provides water and electricity supply 24x7.
The locals also expressed concern over raising crimes in the village and demanded strict action from the police authorities.
The Siolim-Marna gram sabha was held in the presence of Sarpanch Abhay Shirodkar and other panchayat members.
Moving a proposal not to allow multi-dwelling projects in the village, Suraj Chodankar, a local said the panchayat should write to the TCP department not to approve any such big projects in Siolim-Marna until basic facilities like continous water and power supply was provided to every household in the village.
The gram sabha adopted the resolution in one voice.
Another local suggested writing to the TCP department to increase the width of roads from existing 3.5 metres to six metres to approve big projects.
The gram sabha also resolved to write to TCP not to allow hill cutting activity in the village and also not to increase the floor area ratio (FAR) more than 60 percent in the village.
The increase in criminal activities also found an echo in the gram sabha with villagers demanding better policing in the village.
According to locals, there has been a rise in incidents such as snatching of mobiles and the shooting incident that recently took place in a restaurant.
“Many cars that pass by have liquour bottles inside. People drink and drive. Our women and children are no longer safe in our own village,” a local said.
The Siolim-Marna sarpanch assured the villagers to write to the police to increase police patrolling in the village.
A local Joachim Barros called for a joint inspection of the electricity department, PWD and the local pancahayat of the recently dug road for underground cabling.
Barros also proposed scrapping of the new Section 17(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act amendment bill as it will only lead to destruction of Goa.
