AIRPORT EXPANSION DEBRIS DUMPED AT FOUR LANE HIGHWAY

The residents of Dabolim and Alto-Dabolim have raised strong concern over the illegal filling of land, close to the four-lane highway near Dabolim airport.

Debris Dumped along the Highway

It may be noticed that the extracted mud and debris, of the ongoing work of the Dabolim airport expansion, which is in full swing next to the Dabolim airport junction, is being transported by trucks and is being dumped next to the four-lane highway, which is exactly opposite to the INS Hansa-Dabolim gate.

It has been learnt that the agency which is involved in the construction work of the Dabolim airport expansion has not taken any prior permission from the authorities to fill the land, however, the work of land filling is in full swing for the last couple of days. It has also been observed that despite of the illegalities, the local panchayat body has not raised any objection over the filling of land.

The airport authority officials informed that they have not permitted the contractor involved in the expansion work to dump the mud and debris next to the four lane highway. They further said that the contractor has not approached them for the required permission and termed the act as illegal.

It was disclosed that the airport authority had a plan to make use of the land which is being filled up, but presently the plan has been deferred.

The sarpanch of the Chicalim village panchayat, Mr Raul D’Costa, stated that he had seen the site but did not know that the filling would be to such an extent. He said that the village panchayat of Chicalim would certainly stop the work and also issue a notice to the agency involved in the illegal act.(NT)