Goemkarponn desk
CALANGUTE: The Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) has in a complaint to the chief secretary and other authorities on Friday stated that an illegal road being constructed on the hillside at Gauravaddo (E) by large-scale hill-cutting is likely which has adversely affected the famed natural spring known as Motan in close proximity of the area.
CCF has stated in the complaint that this construction of a road on the hillside at Gauravaddo (E) through property bearing survey no 87, 96, 92, 88, 90, 89, 46, 41 and 42 of village Calangute, involves significant hill cutting is not only illegal but also highly detrimental to the pristine environment of our community.
The construction of the road was stopped by the Collector North vide stop work order on February 21, 2021. The road is being constructed despite the stay order.
“The removal of vegetation and soil from the hillside will increase the risk of soil erosion and landslides. Allowing such a destructive road will certainly pollute the natural spring water resource Motan Spring which is in close proximity to the said area” said the President of the forum Prem Divkar.
He further said that hill cutting and subsequent environmental degradation will have severe and irreversible impacts. The road construction project appears to be driven solely by the interests of builders looking to raise a concrete jungle, disregarding the well-being of our village environment.
The CCF stated that no permissions/NOC from the town and country planning (TCP) department under 17A has been obtained as required as the land is sloppy in nature. Besides, there is no permission/NOC from the forest department as the property is notified as a private forest.
“In light of these concerns, we urge you to immediately halt the construction activities,” the CCF stated .complaints have also been sent to the chief secretary, chief town planner, PWD chief engineer, collector (North), director of panchayats, and other authorities.
