People Speak

Gating communities

If the spectre of communism haunted Europe during the period of Karl Marx, a different kind of spectre,people’s activism at the village level, is tormenting real estate developers in the state. Four villages – Carmona, Benaulim, Siridao and Aldona – have independently arisen in recent weeks to question proposed mega-housing projects in their areas. Residents have formed action groups to voice their concern at unusually well-attended Gram Sabhas and other meetings, and compelling their village panchayats to take note of their apprehensions.

This kind of activism in these four villages has led a few conspiracy theorists to accuse some residents of ‘manipulating’ Gram Sabhas to oppose mega housing projects, even though the projects were ‘cleared’ with all the different statutory authorities. These critics conclude that the proponents of this kind of activism seek to use the Gram Sabha – which they say is a consultative body – to usurp the powers of the duly elected and therefore representative panchayat.

The fact is that villagers have a legitimate right to feel apprehensive about mega-housing projects or gated communities in their areas. This is no Goa-specific phenomenon; it is being echoed worldwide. Gated communities cater to a specific class only, promising its affluent members a paradise-on-earth; an enclave with a scenic sea or river view, 24-hour water and electricity supply, pool, clubhouse, security and other exclusive amenities. Some gated communities even include supermarkets and restaurants.

In Goa, many feel that these projects take shape surreptitiously and are cleared with great haste, leaving little or no time for locals to grasp their implications. Not all plans and projects are transparent. In many cases, hills are razed and groundwater is tapped for the promised 24-hour water supply.

Massive amounts of power and water could be drawn from village resources to satisfy these gated communities. And when the existing power transformers are unable to handle the load, housing projects will simply turn on their auxiliary power generators, leaving the hapless Aam admi to fight with the linesmen to restore power supply.

Apart from the physical resources, gated communities can also threaten the social fabric of an area. Our villages are known for their inclusiveness and social cohesion; resources are maintained, shared and enjoyed relatively equitably by locals. But gated communities are by definition exclusive, insulated and private; with ‘we-need-villages-but-not-the-villagers’ attitude.
It is only fair that locals want to be informed and involved when gated communities are proposed in their villagers. In this regard, those planning gated communities should be asked to adopt procedures similar to couples that plan to get married. Panchayats can display the plans and invite public scrutiny and objection, if any, to any proposed housing project, within a reasonable time limit. Besides ensuring transparency in local bodies, this approach could help the builders gauge the pulse of a village before they set up their project. If necessary, the panchayat should call a Gram Sabha to endorse the approval, so that there is no controversy later.

But quite apart from this, there is another, more awkward, issue. There cannot be a buyer unless there is a seller. In many cases, villagers, and officials of local comunidades and religious institutions, are willing to part with properties, ignoring the larger interest. Elected representatives and authorities are only too happy to legitimise housing projects. Don’t blame only builders. Sometimes, the enemy lies within.

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