Aquem-Baixo residents gather to save play ground

Margao Municipal Council Chairperson Mr. Arthur D'Silva along with ward councilor Avinash Shirodkar, Vice Chairperson, Pratima Countinho, Municipal Engineer and officials of SGPDA conducted a site inspection of construction site at Aquem-Baixo on a complaint filed by Navelim Civic & Consumer Forum & Navelchea Xetkarancho Ekvott.

During the site inspection the villagers and the farmers pointed out the various illegalities to which the builder, Mr. Kotari of Sapana Developers had no answers. The farmers complained that the builder has deliberately encroached into their fields by digging for the compound wall. NCCF pointed out that the builder has not done the demarcation of the property as required under the law hence the encroachment.
Adjacent residents pointed out that their traditional accesses will be blocked if the construction is allowed to come up. The residents produced a copy of an objection filed by at least 74 persons objecting to the sale of the property as it was being used by them as a village playground. The builder did not challenge nor did he reply to the later, thereby implying that the residents are correct.
Residents also pointed out to  a religious place of worship which will be blocked if the project is allowed to come up. Also the officials were questioned as to how a paddy field was converted to a "C1" zone and that too with an existing road of 4 mts only.  The farmers also pointed out that the proposed road by the builder is 10 mts, and that for the builder to make huge profits the farmers will have to sacrifice their meager land.
The residents also pointed out to an illegal structure constructed by the builders without any permission from MMC and SGPDA. Hence they demanded that the whole project be scrapped.
The Chairperson promised to initiate action immediately including stopping the work. SGPDA officials were also surprised to see these illegalities and said that they were not aware of the facts and that they will take appropriate action in the matter.   
 
Joseph L. R. Vaz - Secretary, Navelim Civic & Consumer Forum