Oxel residents oppose Rs 40 cr housing project

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2009-06-16
MAPUSA- Tension is brewing up in the village Siolim Oxel over a proposed Rs 40 crore ambitious housing project that is likely to come up in ward 4 of Oxel village panchayat.
At a gram sabha meeting held on Sunday in the panchayat premises to discuss some aspects of the Regional Plan, villagers strongly objected to the housing project that was likely to come up in an area of 20,000 sq metres. Significantly, deputy sarpanch Ms Vaingankar and three other panch members were absent for the meeting. However, the sarpanch, Mr Rama Parab and secretary, Mr Rajesh Naik, sensing the mood of the people, abruptly called off the meeting.
According to information available, a Rs 40 crore housing project is likely to come up in a plot bearing survey number 94/1. Besides the local panch, some other panchas and a large number of residents are opposing the project.
What has aggrieved the locals is the fact that in spite of their opposition the panchayat has issued the NOC for the project and the locals feel that this will create further problems with regards to garbage, water and other necessities.
Locals had a heated argument with the sarpanch following which police personnel from the Siolim police outpost rushed to the scene to prevent any untoward incident.
Villagers are strongly opposing the project and have warned the Sarpanch of serious consequences if he did not withdraw the NOC given to the firm. Tension prevailed all the day in Oxel.
Incidentally, Siolim MLA, Mr Dayanand Mandrekar also resides in Oxel village.