Inspection of mega housing site at Orlim called off

HERALD REPORTER

Inspection of mega housing site at Orlim called off
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MAY 13
An inspection called by the Salcete Block Development Officer of the mega housing site at Orlim had to be called off without undertaking the exercise for want of technical expertise.
An engineer and Extension Officer drafted for the inspection apparently found the going tough after locals highlighted a host of issues allegedly violated by the builder of the housing project.
The Extension Officer, R Chari told newsmen that only a joint inspection involving the Town and Country Planning Department officials and representatives of other departments would help in ascertain the true facts vis-à-vis the project.
“An engineer and Extension officer cannot carry out an inspection when several issues are involved. This requires technical expertise. Only a joint inspection involving TCP and other departments would serve the purpose”, Chari said.
In this context, Chari has asked the Panchayat to call for a joint inspection with the concerned departments at the earliest.
Replying to a question, Chari said the residents have highlighted so many irregularities which cannot be covered within a short span of time. “The villagers alleged about illegal land filling, blockage of traditional access, illegal construction of well, besides many other aspects which needs to be dealt with by the concerned departments”, he added
Today’s inspection was attended by the builder, Sarpanch Shirley Braz, anti-Mega housing project activists and the officials from the BDO.
Sarpanch Shirley told Herald that the Panchayat would call for a joint inspection of the project site, preferably by next week.
A villager Felix Rebello alleged that the people cannot cultivate the fields due to the blockage of a road. Demanding access to the fields, he said the construction in the low lying areas should be stopped forthwith, saying the activity would destroy the eco system and everything in the village.
Meanwhile, the Orlim Ghanv Rakhon Manch has said that despite the TCP issuing a letter to the Colva police on May 10 to clear the place and restore the paddy field, work still continues at the site.
The manch has said “if a project of 66 flats and a swimming pool with a commercial complex can find such support from the law enforcement department that they will fail to act even three days after the TCP issued the letter, one can well imagine the fate of the common man and we have an aam admi government”.