PANAJI: The Oxel panchayat in Bardez has decided to serve a show-cause notice to a builder who is executing a multi-dwelling housing project near the village spring. The action follows an inspection by the panchayat, which revealed that an access road allegedly doesn’t meet the required width: it measures only 4.2m instead of 6m.
Sarpanch Reshal Arporkar confirmed that the notice would be sent on Monday, and that an explanation from the builder/owner would be sought. “If the explanation does not comply with the law of the land, the NOC granted by the panchayat body will be revoked. In such cases, the panchayat cannot revoke the NOC or licence directly. We have to follow due process and issue a show-cause notice. Once the reply is received, we will examine it and take appropriate action in accordance with the law,” she said.
The sarpanch said that she has sent letters to the public works department and other departments concerned to inspect the site and provide their findings to the panchayat.
A section of villagers are opposing the said project, and they say it will cause irreversible damage to the village environment. The village is a home to ‘heritage’ springs which are rich in minerals and widely used by the people for drinking and cooking, they said.
The villagers also said that such projects deplete the ground water, besides causing soil erosion. A villager said that the construction of large-size septic tanks for the project would not only contaminate ground water aquifers, but also the spring water.
ICRA maintains a stable outlook on the sector with steady growth in operating income, moderate leverage, and healthy coverage metrics.
