Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

Panaji, Jan 22: A deadlock over the proposed Unity Mall project in Chimbel continued on Wednesday after talks between chief minister Pramod Sawant and protesting residents ended without any resolution. Following the inconclusive meeting, protesters announced that their chain hunger strike would go on until both proposed projects in the village are completely withdrawn.

After meeting the delegation, Sawant said relocating the project was no longer a viable option, citing the advanced stage of preparation. “Shifting the project now is extremely difficult. Equipment and construction materials have already been procured, and the structure is designed entirely in steel,” he told reporters.

The chief minister added that although visible construction activity is yet to begin, groundwork and procurement had already been completed. “We have already spent Rs 25 crore from the funds sanctioned by the Centre for this project,” he said.

Urging the protesters to call off their agitation, Sawant maintained that the matter could still be resolved through dialogue. He reiterated that, according to the government’s assessment, the project does not fall within the zone of influence of the wetland.

“To remove any doubt, I suggested that both sides appoint independent surveyors to jointly verify whether the site actually lies within the claimed zone of influence,” the chief minister said.

Sawant further stated that the government owns around 4.5 lakh square metres of land in Chimbel, including nearly 20,000 square metres along the national highway. “If this stretch is proven to be outside the zone of influence, the government should be allowed to proceed with the project,” he added.

Addressing concerns over wetlands, the CM said the government was open to formally earmarking land identified by residents as wetlands. “We are willing to do this in the interest of Chimbel’s long-term welfare,” he said.

However, Chimbel Wetland Committee chairman Govind Shirodkar, who was part of the delegation, rejected the chief minister’s proposal. “We clearly told him that the hunger strike will continue until both projects are scrapped,” Shirodkar said.

He also claimed that the chief minister had suggested dropping the Prashasan Stambh project if residents agreed to the Unity Mall, an offer the protesters found unacceptable. “This movement is not limited to Chimbel alone; it concerns the people of Goa as a whole,” he said.

Shirodkar alleged that the government notification declaring the Toyyar Lake area as a wetland contained several inconsistencies. “The proposed Unity Mall clearly falls within the zone of influence. The Chief Minister has assured us that our objections will be examined on Friday,” he added.

Drawing parallels with the past, Shirodkar said the government had earlier proposed an IT project in Chimbel in 2018 without consulting local residents. “Now the same approach is being repeated. Are we meant to be disposable?” he asked, stressing that meaningful consultation should have preceded any decision.

According to Shirodkar, the chief minister assured the delegation that a fresh land survey would be conducted on Friday to reassess whether the project site falls within the restricted zone.