Daijiworld Media Network - Canacona

Canacona, Aug 30: More than 150 residents of Delem and Mastimol in Canacona have opposed a mega housing project comprising nearly 200 residential flats, which has received a construction licence from the then chief officer of the Canacona Municipal Council and technical approval from the authorities concerned.

The residents claimed the approvals were granted despite their written objections submitted to the municipal council in 2023. In an application, they alleged that the construction licence was issued without proper scrutiny or verification of the concerns raised by them.

Locals said the project would place additional pressure on the existing road, water and electricity infrastructure in the area.

“The PWD accepted in its reply to my RTI application that the approach road to the mega project has a maximum width of 4.2 metres, while the TCP approval granted is stating that the road has a width of 10 metres,” said Dhiraj Naik Gaonkar, the immediate past councillor of the ward.

Residents also claimed that the builders had told them the flats would be sold only to locals/Goans and operated as serviced apartments, with no permanent residents.

Narayan Naik Gaonkar, a villager, said residents would continue their opposition until the project was scrapped.

“We will continue to oppose the mega project till it is scrapped, and if required, we will knock on the doors of the court. The authorities concerned who have illegally given approvals would have to face dharnas from the villagers, if need be,” he said.