Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Residents of Patnem ward in Canacona municipality on Friday met Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Prataprao Naik Gaonkar, alleging that a mega project in their locality was fraudulently approved on the basis of a false certification of the width of an existing access road.
The residents demanded an immediate joint inspection of the access road by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, the Public Works Department (PWD) and local residents to ascertain the actual width of the road leading to the project site.
According to the residents, they have been writing for several days to the TCP Authority, the Canacona Mamlatdar and the Deputy Collector seeking such an inspection, but their representations have gone unanswered.
Anil Phaldesai, a resident, told the Deputy Collector that authorities were ignoring the legitimate demands of the people and had failed to give them justice. “We have corresponded with all concerned offices, but everyone is turning a deaf ear to our grievances,” he said.
Another resident, Vaibhav Phaldesai, urged the Deputy Collector to intervene. “We hope you will look into this seriously and give us justice, as you are the magistrate and head of the taluka,” he said.
Warning of possible agitation, Vaibhav said residents should not be blamed if a law-and-order situation arises. “People will be forced to stage an agitation at the Deputy Town Planner’s office in Chaudi, Canacona, if justice is denied,” he stated.
Deputy Collector Prataprao Naik Gaonkar assured the residents that he would write to the concerned departments and discuss the matter with the District Collector within 24 hours to arrive at a solution.
The residents have also warned that they will intensify their agitation if their demand for a joint inspection is not met within a reasonable time.
