Margao: Citing worsening water shortages, the gram sabha of Colva, on Sunday, resolved that the panchayat should not grant permissions and licences to commercial projects in the village, especially those with swimming pools.
The issue of limited water supply was discussed following a proposal put forth by gram sabha member Melvin D’Silva.
“Many areas of Colva, Gandaulim, Sernabatim and Vanelim don’t get enough water mainly because of projects that have swimming pools, which is a luxury. When people already have problems with water supply, swimming pools should not be allowed. There is a project coming up of ten villas with swimming pools,” said D’Silva.
Stating that Salaulim dam has limited supply because a lot of the hills have been developed, another member Judith Almeida, said that if the monsoons are poor, water supply will be hit. She called for a review of all water bodies. It was resolved that commercial projects of more than three units should not be given construction licences and that swimming pools should not be permitted.
The panchayat was also asked to check pending licences of projects containing swimming pools and verify whether borewells were being used.
Locals also called for a carrying capacity study to be prepared for the entire village. The issue of rising theft cases was also raised with gram sabha members urging the panchayat to follow up on the proposal for installing CCTV cameras. The sarpanch said a proposal for procuring 72 cameras for installation across all wards had already been placed under the 15th Finance Commission and was in the process of approval.
Members also called on the panchayat to consult the PWD to ensure speed breakers were constructed as per proper design, by inviting PWD engineers to inspect them.
On the proposed Swadesh Darshan plan for Colva beach, locals asked the panchayat to convene a special gram sabha and invite officials from GCZMA, GTDC and other departments to present the plan.
