CANACONA: The builder and landowner of the proposed Shiv Residency project at Delem, Canacona, have defended the legality of the development, rejecting allegations of illegal construction and asserting that the project has received all statutory approvals from the competent authorities.
Addressing a press conference, builder Rajesh Tarcar of Rajdeep Builders and landowner Praveen Naik Gaonkar responded to objections raised by a group of local residents led by former councillor Dhiraj Naik Gaonkar, who questioned the legality of the project, the availability of a 15-metre-wide access road and the possible influx of outsiders into the village.
Praveen Naik Gaonkar said the proposed development is a serviced apartment project meant for temporary occupancy and not a residential township for permanent residents. He said there was no question of outsiders becoming voters in the village or outnumbering the local population.
He added that the project has been planned as an environmentally friendly development featuring rainwater harvesting, solar-powered street lighting, extensive tree plantation, its own electricity transformer and an independent water management system. According to him, the project would generate employment and business opportunities for local residents, contribute to the village economy and support community development initiatives.
Rajesh Tarcar said the approach road is an integral part of the project and has been planned as a 15-metre-wide road with a 7.5-metre setback in accordance with directions issued by the Town and Country Planning Department. He stated that the road has been approved by both the Town and Country Planning Department and the Public Works Department under the Regional Plan 2021.
Tarcar maintained that the project has obtained all required statutory approvals, does not exceed the permissible Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and involves no change in land use.
He also rejected allegations that the project comprises 150 flats or would result in a large influx of residents from other states, describing such claims as baseless and misleading.
The builder and landowner further claimed that objections filed before the Deputy Collector and the Canacona Municipal Council by three individuals, including Dhiraj Naik Gaonkar, were unsuccessful. They alleged that despite this, misinformation about the project continued to be circulated.
Appealing for calm, they urged residents not to resort to protests or highway blockades, stating that such actions would not be in the village’s interest. They instead called for discussions based on approved documents and factual information.
