Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA: Canacona municipal engineer, Dilkush Gaonkar, led an inspection of a road passage to Patnem beach coast.
The inspection was prompted by reports of the passage being blocked by a local landowner, much to the frustration of hundreds of locals and Ward Councillor Shubham Komarpant.
The gathered crowd passionately expressed their discontent, highlighting not only the blockage but also the destruction of the road tarmac, which was originally built 24 years ago.
Approximately 150 locals, under the guidance of Councillor Shubham Komarpant, urged for the road’s reopening, emphasizing the difficulties faced by local fishermen in transporting their fish baskets using Rickshaws/pickups. Komarpant also informed Municipal Engineer Gaonkar about the historical context of the road, noting that complaints had been lodged with several relevant authorities, including the Deputy Collector of Canacona, GCZMA, Forest Department, and Canacona Municipality.
Former councillor and boat owner Guru Komarpant highlighted the adverse effects of the road blockage, mentioning that the tarmac road, built 24 years ago, had been buried under mud/soil. Additionally, due to the construction of cottages in place of the boats, local boat owners were forced to leave their boats on the seashore, risking their livelihood during incessant rains. Guru expressed concerns about the potential loss of boats during cyclones or rough sea conditions.
In response to inquiries, the land owner, Kripesh Bhagat, denied any wrongdoing, stating that all work had been conducted with proper permissions. Bhagat refuted claims of illegal activities and emphasized having obtained CRZ permission for the work carried out.
