Goa Trinamool Congress Joint Convenors Samil Volvaiker and Mariano Rodrigues along with Goa TMC IT Coordinator Tanoj Adwalpalkar, took a stand against the town and country planning (TCP) department’s recent amendments to the Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations during a press conference held at the party office in Panaji.
Highlighting the threat to natural resources and the ecosystem, Goa TMC Joint Convenor Samil Volvaiker said, ‘The said amendments come at the cost of Goa’s agricultural sector. The government is in a tearing hurry to destroy Goan farmers.’ He further stressed, ‘Doubling of railway tracks, expansion of the National Highway and the Tanmar power transmission project has already contributed to the destruction of Goa’s environment.’
Questioning the intentions of the BJP-led government, Volvaiker emphasized, ‘The government has decided to increase the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to construct high-rise buildings, film cities, golf courses, farmhouses, and yoga centers. At a time when Goa is already suffering from an infrastructure boom, the government is hellbent on not only destroying but devastating the ecology, environment, and livelihoods of the people of Goa.’ Adding on, he said, ‘Goa is still recovering from COVID-19’s effects. The BJP government must strengthen the farming sector, not weaken it.’
Bringing to the fore the hidden implications of the amendments, Volvaiker asserted, ‘Such projects require enormous amounts of electricity and water resources. The BJP government has failed to meet the rising demand in the state. In areas like the Kadamba plateau people don’t have access to drinking water, Goa at large is faced with water scarcity.’
Issuing a clarion call, Volvaiker appealed, ‘We stand in solidarity with all Goenkars who have taken a stand and raised their voice against the infrastructure projects. All the panchayats in the state must issue resolutions opposing the new amendments.’ He further asserted, ‘We may differ in our political ideology, but we must come together and fight to protect our heritage and environment.
Goa TMC strongly opposes the amendments to the Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations and appeals to the panchas to collectively raise their voice against the same.
