Porvorim: The locals from a ward from Penha de Franca panchayat have objected to the construction of a compound wall for proposed High Court building project, which has blocked their traditional access.
The locals led by Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte on Monday questioned the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) authorities for blocking their traditional pathway, while providing alternate route, which is narrow and non-motorable.
The worries were also pressed over the lack of drainage to channelize the water from slope, which would result in the flooding of surrounding area.
The ward number 5 of Pehna de Franca panchayat are in dire strait after the proposed High Court building construction has blocked their traditional pathway.
The residents have written to Penha de Franca village panchayat complaining against the blocking of traditional access to ward number 05 connecting to the National Highway.
The villagers have said that the compound wall, if granted permission by the panchayat will block the traditional access in entire violation of regulation 4.2 and regulation 11.9 of The Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations, 2010.
The road is also a bypass link used by people to travel to Verem and Betim to avoid traffic congestion at Malim.
The construction of compound wall is also in violation of condition number 12 laid down in the Technical Clearance Order dated February 28, 2014 and renewed technical clearance order January 29, 2020.
The alternate road suggested by GSIDC to connect to ward number 5 is non motorable and its width is just 2.5 metres wich itself is in violation of RP 2021. The traditional access was 9 metres wide.
The alteration to the traditional pathway has also blocked the rain water movement along the slope due to which there is a possibility of flooding.
They have also pointed out that the nullah has been blocked violating the basic principal of planning and condition laid down in the TCP clearance and construction licence.
The villagers have pointed out that the inspection of the alternate route was done by MLA Rohan Khaunte and the officials of GSIDC in April, 2019. During the inspection the GSIDC official had accepted that the new route road of five meter with all the amenities will be ready first with an access of passing of two vehicles at the same time.
The villagers have demanded immediate suspension of blocking of traditional access of village to main highway.
Direct the GSIDC to construct the alternate route on priority basis as per RP 2021 with all the amenities.
The villagers have demanded mmediate suspension of the construction licence issued by the panchayat as originally granted and in force as of date.
Revocation of construction licence granted and as in force as of date after following due process of law in accordance with the principles of natural justice.
The panchayat should refrain from issuing any occupancy certificate in respect of the above project, the villagers have said.
Talking to the officials on Monday, Khaunte has said that the representative of the locals will periodically monitor the construction work to ensure that there is no impact on the locals.
Khaunte said that it looks like the action of closing the pathway is an intentional one which is politically motivated.
He said that all the panchayat, in future, should ask for the presentation of the project before granting them NOC.
“There has been unplanned development, which needs to be stopped,” he said.
Khaunte also said that the water requirement for the project should be done with additional arrangements without further draining already existing water supply to Porvorim.
