PERNEM: Locals of Pernem say that the government, after showing carrots of employment, is now once again trying to fool the people of Pernem taluka by forcing another mega project on them in the form of ‘Mini-India Theme Park’ (‘Mini India project’), which was earlier rejected by Quelossim and Bogmalo locals.
The government has given the go-ahead to Pune-based real estate firm Bramha Corp to set up the project on private land measuring 97,224 sq mts in Survey Nos 310/0 and 311/0 in municipal jurisdiction. As per Regional Plan and the present zoning, the land is in irrigation command area.
Questioning why the government is trying to get a project like a theme park in Pernem, the locals have asked whether it will be only a park or another concrete project which the Brahma Corp is trying to fool the people.
As per Form I and XIV, the property is owned by J M Township & Real Estate Pvt Ltd, on which the Rs 3,000 crore integrated resort-cum-casino township at Dhargalim is coming up.
The taluka residents have objected to the said project as per the public notice with the Pernem Forum putting up its individual objection. The residents are in the process of filing a special petition in the High Court opposing the project until and unless the government and companies come clear on the provisions with regard to water, garbage, power and sewage.
“We are not against development but it should be sustainable. The theme park project will require a lot of power and a huge amount of water. The State is already facing water and power shortages and in such a situation if the government is going to divert these essentials to this project then we oppose it,” a resident said.
Another resident Bhaskar Narulkar said, “I appeal to the government not to bring such projects which will harm the environment in Pernem. If the government wants a green signal for this project then it should first take the people into confidence. We need clarity over the provisions that are made for water, power, garbage and sewage. We are in process of filing a special petition to the High Court opposing the project until and unless the government/companies come clear on the provisions made for water, garbage, power and sewage.”
“The government should explain the pros and cons of this project and then let the people decide whether they want this project or not. The government should not force this project on the people of Pernem,” Narulkar said.
“Time and again, the government has done injustice to the people of Pernem by giving false promises and luring the people in the name of development, jobs and business. With projects like theme parks, what type of employment will be generated is a big question. The government should not force this project on us. The government should stop taking the people of Pernem for granted. We will fight against this project tooth and nail,” another resident said.
Advocate Jitendra Gaonkar said, “This government has lured the people for jobs, compensation and business. First, it was for the airport and later the link road, acres were acquired forcing the people to suffer. Now, the government is using the Investment Promotion Board for capitalists to have their projects in Goa because it has a single-window permission system. This project was opposed at two different locations which the government now plans to get here.”
President of Pernem Citizens Committee Bharat Bagkar said, “Individual objections have been filed with the forum also filing its objection to this project. One by one, the government is forcing projects which will destroy Pernem.”
When contacted, Pernem Municipal Council chairperson Siddesh Pednekar said, “We have not received any communication with regards to this project. Whatever we have heard and read about this project is through the media.”