Digital Goa, Jan 28 – The Department of Tourism has announced that two upcoming government projects near the Toyyar wetland — the Unity Mall and Prashasan Stambh — will be shifted to a new location following concerns raised by local villagers. The press release issued late night today said that the decision comes despite the fact that the original project site, situated in a settlement zone adjoining the National Highway, falls outside the wetland’s zone of influence. “After taking into account the sentiments and emotions of some villagers, it has been decided to relocate both projects,” stated the Department release. The move follows a meeting between Chimbel villagers and the Chief Minister on January 21, where the CM directed a detailed survey and mapping of the Toyyar wetland and its surrounding area. The survey exercise, conducted from January 23 to 28, involved villagers, their experts and advocates, hydrologists, architects, officials from CSIR-NIO, the Wetland Authority, DSLR, and the Tourism Department. The team conducted comprehensive ground verification, mapping catchment areas, drainage lines, springs, vegetation cover, and cultivated lands. High-definition drones were also deployed to study the contours of the land. The draft report and detailed maps were shared with villagers and their legal representatives.
“ From the survey, it was amply clear that the proposed site for the Unity Mall & Prashasan Sthamb not only falls outside the zone of influence of the Toyyar wetland, but also the catchment area that was mapped by the experts engaged by the villagers.Although the project site is in a settlement zone adjoining the National Highway, upon considering the sentiments and emotions of some of the villagers, it has been decided to shift the location of both the Government projects to a different site,” stated the release.
▪️ Don’t know why people are opposing the project: CM
Meanwhile speaking to media after receiving the report of the Survey CM Pramod Sawant said. “Dont know why people are opposing the project.” He also asserted that he as well as the Tourism Minister did not give any wrong information in the assembly regarding the projects.
▪️ No official communication yet on shifting of the projects : agitation leaders
When reactions were sought by the media from the protesting Chimbel villagers leaders, they said they have not yet received any official communication regarding shifting of the projects. They said that the future course of action will be decided after receiving the official communication. The agitators had announced a Mahaandolan on Jan 30 in support of their demand of scrapping the projects.
