Locals voice apprehension on status of houses on roadside
Siolim-Marna Sarpanch Sandesh Hadfadkar along with other panchayat members and secretary attend the special gram sabha on Wednesday
MAPUSA
In a decisive move to enforce the High Court's directive against unauthorised constructions, the Siolim-Marna panchayat has announced plans to identify and inspect all illegal structures within the village.
Sarpanch Sandesh Hadfadkar stated that the panchayat will carry out thorough inspections and ensure compliance with the court order.
Hadfadkar assured that the villagers would be kept informed about the inspections and any action taken against illegal constructions. He also appealed for public cooperation to facilitate a smooth inspection process.
“We will conduct a detailed inspection of all existing unauthorised structures, and a comprehensive report will be prepared and submitted to the Block Development Officer (BDO). The BDO, in turn, will forward the report to the Deputy Collector for further action,” Hadfadkar explained.
In light of the High Court's impending action against illegal structures, the Siolim-Marna panchayat convened a special gram sabha on Wednesday.
The meeting aimed to raise awareness among residents about the legal repercussions and the measures the panchayat is undertaking to address the issue.
During the discussion, several villagers voiced their concerns, particularly about residential houses located along the roadside.
Many residents were apprehensive about whether their homes might be affected by the enforcement of the court order.
One of the primary concerns raised was regarding properties situated on evacuee land or government-owned land.
With large parcels of such land existing in Siolim, residents questioned the legality of constructions on these plots and sought clarity on their future after the court's directive is implemented.
Local resident Fatima Fernandes inquired about the fate of houses built along the roadsides, seeking clarity on whether they too would face demolition. Another resident expressed concern about partial demolitions, asking whether the government would undertake repairs if portions of legally occupied homes were affected.
In response, the panchayat secretary clarified that the government would not take responsibility for any repairs resulting from demolitions ordered by the court.
The panchayat emphasised that the inspections were necessary to ensure compliance with legal norms and prevent further unauthorised construction.
