Goemkarponn desk
PONDA: Bethki-Borim Villagers came on road to protest against construction of ISKON Project on Bethki Plateau.
The locals said their wells will run dry and they will face water scarcity if project comes up at hill.
Protesting atop the Betki Hill, Borim locals on Monday vowed not to allow the proposed road for a project by an NGO as they fear that hill will be cut.
They said the hill recharges drinking water wells in their houses and Bagayats also depend on it.
The locals said “Similarly, the hill and forest at Bethki are home to leopards and wild boars. If the hill is cut then our wells will run dry. The major project coming up in area of around 34000 sq mtrs and the hill will be cut for the same. We do not want any project for which our hill will be cut as we depend on it.’
Borim sarpanch Jyothi Naik said, “There is application by an NGO for construction of road at Bethki. However, the locals at the gram sabha opposed the proposed road for the project. We have not issued any NOC, but the project proponent has challenged the gram sabha decision before the Deputy Director of Panchayats. The deputy director had instructed to provide NOC for construction of the road. However, considering the opposition from the locals, the panchayat has not taken any decision nor issued any NOC. I am not aware of the project details as we only received an application for NOC for road construction.”
