WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
Team Herald
ORLIM: The newly constructed walkway by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) near the St Michael Church, Orlim collapsed in gusty winds and monsoon showers on Wednesday morning.
Former Benaulim sarpanch and social activist Royla Fernandes, told Herald that “in the fields near the lake opposite to the Orlim church there was a traditional footpath in the fields known as Mer and local Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao proposed for a proper footpath. GSIDC appointed a consultant to study. The consultant presented his report and the contractor made their projects that were tendered. Now, the mer (traditional pathway) in the fields (xetan) is replaced by a huge retaining wall of almost four meters high with a footpath on it. Two weeks ago locals informed the MLA that they do not want something like that but he insisted that it was his dream project. An activist Kim Miranda filed a complaint with the GSIDC objecting to this proposal.
Former Orlim sarpanch and present panch member Gaudencio Luis said, “It is a shame for us Orlim villagers. We had objected to it a month ago. Last month, we came to the site wherein the MLA, GSIDC engineers, contractors and other officials were present for an inspection along with the local parish priest because it was an encroachment of the Fabrica property. They met the parish priest who gave them a verbal permission. But for the Fabrica property you need the committee resolution and NOC but without informing, they had started the work. So the parish priest was annoyed and objected to it”
Villagers had objection with the height as it was a three meters high from the ground level. “I personally feel that the material used for this construction was not proper but adulterated as there’s no cement but all sand. I had complained to GSIDC and also filed a RTI application seeking the permission documents of this project,” said Gaudencio.
Social activist Kim Miranda disclosed, “There is no NOC given by any field owner, no NOC from the panchayat, no plans in the panchayat, no approval from the Gram Sabha, there is anything! GSIDC has just started work with Churchill Alemao. We didn’t want it the way it was being done. Now that they have done it, we said okay, let us compromise but now that it is broken, we want everything to be taken out, lock stock and barrel! We want them to clear it completely as we gave them a chance and they messed it up!”
