Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Strong opposition was voiced by residents of Loliem during a site inspection of a proposed luxury villa project, with locals questioning the basis on which the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department granted approval for the development.
The Village Panchayat of Loliem-Polem recently conducted a site inspection of the proposed Vianaar project in Survey Nos. 349/1 (Part) and 358/19. The project envisages the construction of 49 premium luxury villas, each with an individual swimming pool.
Ahead of the inspection, the panchayat requested the presence of representatives of the project proponent, Vianaar Homes Private Limited, members of the Citizens Committee of Loliem and the concerned ward panch to ensure transparency during the verification of the proposal for residential units, swimming pools and a compound wall.
During the inspection, residents strongly opposed the project, expressing concerns over its potential impact on Loliem’s biodiversity and fragile ecosystem. They pointed out that the village falls within an Eco-Sensitive Zone notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, arguing that large-scale construction in the area could have serious environmental consequences.
Residents also highlighted Canacona’s recurring water scarcity, particularly during the summer months, and warned that a project comprising 49 villas with private swimming pools would place additional pressure on already limited water resources.
Villagers further stated that the proposed site forms part of the natural habitat of several wild animals, raising concerns about the impact of the development on local wildlife and ecological balance.
The Citizens Committee also questioned the validity of the TCP approval, alleging that permission had been granted on the basis of a 10-metre-wide access road. However, during the site inspection, the road was reportedly found to be only about 4.5 metres wide, prompting demands for an inquiry into the information relied upon while granting approval.
A large number of villagers attended the inspection to ensure that the process was carried out fairly and transparently. Among those present were Denis Fernandes, Prashant Pagi, Dattaprasad Prabhugaonkar, Sanjan Naik and former Sarpanch Shailesh Pagi, along with several other residents of Loliem-Polem.
The inspection was attended by the Panchayat Secretary, members of the Village Panchayat and representatives of Vianaar Homes Private Limited.
