Taleigao's Unchecked Urbanization: A Ticking Time Bomb

Once a serene village, Taleigao is now grappling with the consequences of rampant development. Residents warn of severe water shortages, poor waste management, and environmental degradation. The future of this once-lush area is at stake.

UrbanizationWater ScarcityWaste ManagementReal EstateTaleigaoReal EstateMay 17, 2025

Taleigao's Unchecked Urbanization: A Ticking Time Bomb

Real Estate:Taleigao, once a picturesque village known for its lush green fields and fresh air, is now facing a crisis of its own making. The unchecked pace of urbanization has transformed this serene area into a 'ticking time bomb,' with residents raising alarms about the damage already done.

Speaking to the media, Taleigao resident Dattaprasad Naik expressed deep concern over the rapid urbanization that has swept through the village. While initial roadworks were welcomed, they have now been overshadowed by large-scale real estate projects, many of which have been approved without adequate planning for basic infrastructure.

"Will the government continue to issue construction permissions without ensuring basic amenities are in place?" Naik asked, highlighting the pressing issues of water shortages, inconsistent electricity supply, and poor waste management.

Several housing societies in Taleigao receive no piped water and rely solely on water tankers. The absence of a local garbage treatment facility means all waste must be transported to Saligao. The situation is further exacerbated by the contamination of water in parts of the village, despite the recent commencement of a new sewage treatment plant that serves only about 15 percent of the Taleigao panchayat area.

Cecille Rodrigues, another resident, voiced similar concerns. She believes that public officials should prioritize sustainable development and the welfare of villagers, but what she sees instead is "destruction." Rodrigues recounted that her housing society had gone without water from the Public Works Department (PWD) for the past 40 days due to sewage contamination. "While tankers are being arranged, this is not a sustainable solution. These incidents are becoming more frequent," she said.

New constructions are often approved without connections to the PWD water supply, leading to a drop in groundwater levels due to over-extraction. Rodrigues also noted erratic power supply and worsening pollution in the Taleigao creek. Residents are frustrated by roads being dug up without prior notice, a sign of disorganization and indifference from both departments and elected representatives.

The unregulated sale and conversion of agricultural land is another key concern. "If citizens are expected to follow the rules, shouldn’t elected representatives do the same?" Rodrigues asked, reflecting on how lifelong residents are now struggling with basic necessities like water. She warned that unless residents unite and demand change, the village could soon face disaster.

Devidas Amonkar echoed these fears. "Taleigao is being turned into a city without any proper plan. It’s become a concrete jungle. There are no proper amenities. Basic facilities are missing," he said.

Francis Coelho, another local, was even more scathing. "For the last 20 years, one family has ruled the constituency, and now it’s in shambles. Construction licenses are handed out without any consideration for the village’s carrying capacity. Twenty years ago, the population was 20,000 to 25,000. Today, it’s between 40,000 and 45,000 as per the voter list—but the actual figure is closer to 90,000 to 1,00,000," he said.

He asked, "If the population is so high, where are the proper amenities? There must be a steady electricity supply, drinking water, sewage treatment, and proper garbage disposal—but nothing is done. In fact, sewage is being discharged into agricultural fields."

Taleigao is located at the tail end of the water supply line from the Opa Water Treatment Plant. "By the time the water reaches Taleigao and Dona Paula, the pressure is too low," Coelho explained. He also criticized the state of the sewage system. "Eleven years ago, the sewage line was planned. Work began—but it’s still incomplete. Now, sewage ends up in fields, wells, or the sea."

Power supply issues are also frequent. During their recent feast, blackouts were a common occurrence. "Voltage is inconsistent. Transformers don’t function properly. We’ve raised these concerns repeatedly, but our MLA seems only interested in winning elections," Coelho said.

"Taleigao is a mess because of our elected representatives," he concluded. "Once, this village was a green paradise with countless trees. There’s a saying, ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way,’ but that doesn’t apply to Taleigao. The MLA has no interest in preserving agricultural land. Massive buildings with hundreds of flats are coming up in these fields. How is this being allowed? Who is giving the permissions?"

Coelho further argued, "The process of buying and selling land should be made more difficult, but instead it’s being facilitated—especially by the MLA and his family. This benefits the real estate lobby. Just recently, water contamination was discovered in some wards. Bacteria were found, and the PWD had to stop the water supply. They issued notices to residents, demanding that repairs be done at their own cost. It felt more like a threat than a solution."

Buildings with 200 to 300 flats are coming up in nearly every ward. "Who will provide them with water and electricity? Where will their sewage go? And let’s stop blaming migrants. These flats are being bought by wealthy families and rented out. Builders are investing crores. Recently, two new high-end buildings were cleared, with flats costing Rs 4.5 to Rs 5 crore. Where will their sewage be released? If it’s dumped into agricultural land, won’t landowners be forced to sell or convert it?"

Xavier De Almeida, a farmer and social activist, criticized the one-directional nature of Taleigao’s so-called development. "It’s all geared towards the real estate business," he said. He has raised the issue repeatedly at gram sabhas, suggesting fines for anyone—rich or poor—found releasing sewage into fields.

"I proposed a committee with the Sarpanch, Secretary, and health officials to inspect complaints and penalize offenders. Fines can start low, then increase over time, even leading to disconnection of water supply. But none of this is happening. They’re only interested in votes," De Almeida said.

In many areas, raw sewage is being openly discharged, contaminating drinking water. "Is this what we call development?" he asked. "Construction is being encouraged in every corner. When the issue is raised, authorities blame the Town and Country Planning Department or the Planning and Development Authority."

De Almeida believes this blame-shifting is disingenuous. "We all know the decisions are taken in one person’s office. There’s a clear conflict of interest—the ministry, municipal corporation, planning authority, and panchayat are all controlled by one family. Why have a panchayat if it can’t take decisions?"

He called for an immediate halt to all construction permissions in Taleigao. "The population has already exceeded the village’s carrying capacity. Even the groundwater table is depleting rapidly—and it’s getting contaminated."

The future of Taleigao hangs in the balance. Residents are calling for urgent action to address the pressing issues of water scarcity, poor waste management, and environmental degradation. Only time will tell if their voices will be heard and if the village can be saved from becoming a concrete jungle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main concerns of Taleigao residents?

Residents are concerned about water shortages, inconsistent electricity supply, poor waste management, and the contamination of water due to sewage issues.

Why is Taleigao referred to as a 'ticking time bomb'?

The rapid and unchecked urbanization has transformed Taleigao into a densely populated area with inadequate infrastructure, leading to severe environmental and health issues.

What is the impact of new construction projects in Taleigao?

New constructions are often approved without connections to the Public Works Department (PWD) water supply, leading to a drop in groundwater levels and over-extraction.

How is the groundwater in Taleigao being affected?

The groundwater table is depleting rapidly and getting contaminated due to the unregulated discharge of sewage into agricultural fields and wells.

What solutions are residents proposing to address these issues?

Residents are calling for an immediate halt to all construction permissions, fines for releasing sewage into fields, and the formation of a committee to inspect complaints and penalize offenders.