For a considerable period of time the villagers at Melauli-Sattari have been constantly opposing the IIT project. Even after holding protests on several occasions, the state government seems unmoved to their regular demand of scrapping the IIT project. Recently the Public Works Department (PWD) in Ponda issued a tender for the construction of compound wall around the site marked for the said project.
The villagers have now requested for a special Gram Sabha to prevail upon the village panchayat not to issue NOC for construction of the said compound wall. With such a firm decision of the locals, it would be appropriate for the government not to go ahead with the said project. In case the IIT project is not scrapped, adverse consequences are bound to follow and the government would be solely responsible for it. After all it is the voice of the masses that needs to be heard.
Of course, the government cannot impose any project forcibly thereby hurting the sentiments of the local population. It is time to exhibit some understanding at this moment and scrap the IIT project at Melauli altogether before the matter takes an ugly turn in days to come.
PRAVIN U SARDESSAI, Adpai
