Locals seek action against illegal outside businesses
CANACONA
A heated gram sabha meeting in Agonda on Sunday saw sharp exchanges over the installation of a proposed fourth mobile tower in Betul ward, as residents clashed over concerns related to radiation, environmental impact and the need for better network coverage.
The controversy erupted after villagers alleged that non-permitted groundwork had already begun to install the new tower barely 100 metres from an existing one and within a residential zone. While one group claimed radiation from towers was affecting humans and the environment — even alleging shrinking coconut sizes and the disappearance of five local bird species — another group countered that mobile towers across Goa host bird nests and do not harm biodiversity. They also stressed the need for reliable mobile connectivity in a digital era. Former Sarpanch Badal Naikgaunkar dismissed radiation fears as “myths, not reality”.
Sarpanch Nilesh Pagui clarified that the panchayat has not issued any No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the tower. Reading from official correspondence from the Deputy Collector and Directorate of Panchayats, he informed the house that local bodies no longer have the authority to approve or deny mobile tower installations.
However, after acknowledging the majority sentiment, Pagui said the panchayat would formally convey villagers’ objections and concerns to the Block Development Officer, Director of Panchayats and Deputy Collector.
The meeting also strongly advocated restricting app-based taxi services from waiting or operating within the village after passenger drop-offs, claiming that these operators were depriving local taxi owners of business.
Villagers raised a wide range of grievances related to tourism, including:
Unfamiliar touts intercepting tourists at village entry points; Resorts and hotels using taxis and transport services hired from outside Agonda; Lamanis causing nuisance on the beach and harassing tourists, especially foreigners; Unauthorised display boards advertising rental bikes and cars; harassment of visitors by kayak operators from outside the village; need for a designated tourist taxi stand;
poorly maintained internal roads, MDR-49, and the Agonda beach road and overgrown roadside vegetation and stray cattle causing inconvenience
Pagui stressed that nearly 80% of Agonda’s residents depend on tourism, reaffirming that the panchayat intends to safeguard local livelihoods. He added that earlier decisions to allow outside operators into Agonda had proven to be a mistake, and the panchayat would now prioritise and protect local businesses.
The Sarpanch informed the Gramsabha that steps are being taken in the High Court to protect local businesses that have been running for 10–15 years on azad bhumi (free land). Such enterprises, he said, would be safeguarded while maintaining environmental norms.
He assured strict action against illegal outside businesses and promised that non-local establishments would not be allowed to function without proper approvals. Pagui also committed to blacktopping all internal roads soon and installing CCTV cameras at strategic entry and exit points.
Residents including Marcus Fernandes, Barsat Naikgaunkar, Kiran Naikgaunkar, Melvyn Fernandes, Ramnath Naik Gaunkar, Franklin Borges, Suraj Naikgaunkar, Valleny Fernandes, Ceciliano F’des, Mathew Fernandes, Sidhesh Bandekar, Sandesh Phaldesai and Dalia Fernandes actively participated in the discussions.
An observer from the BDO office and Panchayat Secretary Amol K. Naikgaunkar were present, while Dy. Sarpanch Karuna Phaldesai, Fatima Rodrigues, John Fernandes, Ramnath Velip and Preettal Fernandes also attended the meeting.
