Goa, Sept. 17 -- The Curtorim panchayat and villagers of Maina-Curtorim have se cured an order halting a proposed construction pro ject comprising flats and shops following strong op position from residents. The Additional Director of Panchayats ordered a halt to the project after vil lagers objected to the com mencement of construc tion allegedly without the required panchayat per mission.

Villagers had also raised concerns over tree cutting at the site. Curtorim sarpanch Mi lagres Rodrigues said the panchayat had stood by the villagers and its advocate had placed their objections and the legal and procedural issues before the authority. "Today, the panchayat has won the case against the builder. The villagers had strongly opposed the p...