Goa Residents Accuse Civic Body of Bias Over Land Encroachment and Waste Dumping
The La Marvel Residents Welfare Association (LMRWA) in Dona Paula, Goa, has leveled serious allegations against the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), accusing the civic authorities of prolonged inaction and apparent bias regarding alleged encroachments and the illegal dumping of construction and demolition waste on a privately owned open space.
Allegations of Apathy and Disregard for Law
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the CCP commissioner, the association asserted that the affected land, an open space within the La Marvel Colony and Marivel village area, is the exclusive property of La Marvel Colony and its residents. The LMRWA claimed it has repeatedly notified the CCP about ongoing encroachments and dumping activities on this land, but all their formal complaints have been consistently ignored by the authorities.
"Due to complete apathy and bias shown towards our earlier complaints, and a total disregard for the rule of law, the illegal situation has worsened and reached its present stage," the association's letter stated emphatically.
Residents' Pleas Allegedly Ignored by Mayor
Ajoy Barretto, the president of the La Marvel Residents Welfare Association, revealed that the residents had attempted to engage directly with Panaji Mayor Rohit Monserrate to resolve the escalating issue. However, Barretto stated that their earnest pleas and concerns fell on deaf ears, with no constructive response or action forthcoming from the mayor's office.
Three-Point Demand to Civic Authorities
Frustrated by the perceived inaction, the association has now placed three specific demands before the CCP civic authorities:
- A joint inspection of the disputed open space must be conducted within seven working days after receipt of their letter. This inspection should involve CCP engineers alongside the executive committee of the residents' association and must be carried out with a police escort to ensure transparency and security.
- A detailed and comprehensive land survey must be performed during this joint inspection to accurately document the current status and any violations.
- The CCP must prepare a thorough technical report based on the findings from the joint inspection and survey. This report should serve as the legal foundation for restoring the open space to its original, undisturbed condition.
Recent Excavation Work Sparks Further Concerns
The situation took a more urgent turn on Thursday when residents observed excavation work being actively carried out at the disputed site. Alarmed by this development, the LMRWA immediately flagged the issue by writing to the Panaji police, seeking intervention.
"Instead of conducting a proper site inspection and initiating debris removal as required, the CCP is now illegally extracting mud and debris from the same site without any authorized work order," Barretto alleged, highlighting what residents view as further misconduct by the civic body.
The association's demands underscore a growing confrontation between local residents and municipal authorities over land rights, environmental concerns, and governance accountability in the Dona Paula area of Goa.
