Panaji : The government initiated the process to hear views of villagers in a bid to take possession of land for Mopa airport, but local residents have requested for more time citing various reasons.

A meeting was convened by M K Vasta, land acquisition officer, along with another officer for an interaction with villagers on the issuance of Section 9 and 10 for taking possession of the land, at the temple premises in Tulaskar wadi, Cansarvornem on Aug 30. The residents of Tulaskarwadi and Dhangarwadi were served notices to remain present for the meeting.

The official raised some queries regarding compensation, valuation of trees and other matters, but the residents pointed out that in a recent notification, they had been asked not to object to the land acquisition. "How we to ask and what are are we to ask if we don't know the details," the villagers said.

Some villagers, especially, Janardhan Tulaskar, Dinkar Tulaskar and Digamber Tulaskar questioned the officials about the benefits of the airport project. They alleged that the project would cause destruction of forest, agriculture and water sources in and around the plateau.

Vasta said that the court would look into environment matters while a steering committee would decide about the land after acquisition and he was only carrying out government orders. The people pointed out that the government had assured the high court of Bombay at Goa that land acquisition process would be kept in abeyance during the pendency of the case, in which villagers have challenged the acquisition.