Herald, 25 April 2008, p. 5 ABA delegation meets CS, opposes housing project
A delegation from the Aldona Bachao Abhiyan met Chief Secretary J.P. Singh on Thursday and presented to him a petition signed by 1617 people opposed to the controversial housing project at Carona-Aldona. The ABA delegation, which comprisied M. Fernandes (Convenor), Charmaine D'Souza (Secretary), Nandkumar Raikar (Treasurer), Mariette Correa and V Gadgil (members) informed Mr. Singh that hill-cutting activities have been undertaken without permission. The ABA delegation feared that mega-projects and gated communities with swimming pools and saunas, using borewells and consuming large quantities of water, would cause saline ingress and/or drying up of wells. The delegation also raised concern that the proposed project would cause great environmental damage to the ecology of the area, being in a fragile riverine zone. Pointing out that the government needed to take a holistic, village-level view while approving projects, the ABA delegation informed the chief secretary that various companies had purchased land all over Aldona, including tenanted land, despite opposition from the tenants. Builders have bought up a lot of agricultural and orchard zone land, and steps need to be taken to ensure that no conversions in such zones are permitted, as this will have disastrous ecological consequences, stated the ABA. The delegation also informed the Chief Secretary that confusion over the powers of the TCP and the Panchayats are being exploited by mega-projects. "Both the TCP and panchayats are claiming the final rights to decide, and builders are exploiting this to get their way, since there is no clarity in the matter. Panchayats should clearly be given the final word," a member told Mr Singh. The ABA also mentioned that a confusion regarding CRZ demarcation has affected riverine areas too, with builders exploiting every loophole. After listening to the ABA delegation, the chief secretary advised the ABA to submit the matter to the attention of the TCP and the Task Force on the Regional Plan. Since the Chief Town Planner Morad Ahmed is on leave, the delegation could not meet him, but a copy of the petition was submitted at the Chief Town Planner's office in Panjim. The ABA also intends to make a detailed representation to the Task Force on the Regional Plan. -- Question everything -- Karl Marx
