Curtorim Villagers Block Mega Project Over Water Fears

A recent gram sabha meeting in Curtorim saw villagers pass a resolution opposing a proposed mega construction project comprising 25 flats and shops. The primary concerns revolve around the project's close proximity to Maina lake and the surrounding wells, which are hydrologically linked. Residents fear that construction activities could contaminate the lake and nearby wells, destroy groundwater aquifers, and exacerbate the existing scarcity of drinking water in the village.

The gram sabha members underscored the potential impact on local agriculture, noting that at least 150 families depend on Maina lake for paddy cultivation. They warned that water contamination could render agriculture unproductive and pose health risks to farmers. Additionally, the influx of approximately 200 new residents is expected to place an unsustainable burden on the village's water resources, with many households already experiencing acute shortages.

Further objections included a unilateral increase in the project's floor area ratio (FAR) to 100% without gram sabha approval, with villagers demanding a cap of 50% for future projects. They also disputed the Regional Plan 2021's claim of a 25m-wide access road, stating the existing road is only 10m wide and opposing any attempts to widen it. Two other projects were also targeted for scrapping due to environmental and resource pressures.