Nuvem villagers oppose western bypass

Nuvem villagers oppose western bypass
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, FEB 8, 2009


The Nuvem village gram Sabha on Sunday demanded the scrapping of the proposed Western bypass passing through the village over houses and paddy fields.
Agitated gram Sabha members also demanded that the Regional Plan 2021 be scrapped due to the host of discrepancies in the plan.
The meeting also decided to ask the Panchayat body to approach local MLA and Power Minister, Alexio Sequeira to visit the Panchayat ghar and explain the proposal relating to the western bypass.
Gram Sabha members pointed out that the people had opposed the proposed highway in the past and wondered how the proposal has again surfaced on the Regional Plan.
The members apprehended that the proposed bypass would wipe out the entire Gorvetti ward of houses, fields and cattle rearing.
To allay the confusion on the proposed western bypass, the gram Sabha resolved to ask the Panchayat body to call on the Power Minister and seek clarification.
Acting Sarpanch Menino Mascarenhas later told Herald that the body would call on the local MLA by Tuesday on the issue. Replying to a question, he said the people would call on the Chief Minister if there is no response from the local MLA.
Since there were widespread discrepancies in the draft RP 2021, most of the members demanded that the plan be scrapped. The gram sabha meeting also deliberated on the commercial activities along the highway passing through the village, with many members demanding action against the illegal trade. Mascarenhas, however, said that the Panchayat body would think twice before cracking a whip since even locals are involved in commercial trade along the road.
A resolution was adopted to ask the Police to intensify patrolling in the village in view of the spurt in thefts and robberies.
Mascarenhas suggested for a survey of all migrants putting up in the village and to ask the land lords to submit a copy of the agreement with the tenants to the Panchayat body.