Team Herald
MARGAO: Farmers from Loutolim and Borim have lodged fresh objections to the proposed land acquisition for the Borim bridge project, marking the latest chapter in a long-standing dispute that has brought them into conflict with the Union Highway Ministry. Their main concern remains the bridge’s planned alignment, which cuts through their khazan fields, threatening both the environment and their traditional way of life.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The farmers’ representative, Albert Pinheiro, President of the Carbot, Mascasana & Bebdo Tenants Association in Loutolim, emphasised that this action aims to ensure the government cannot later claim that no objections were raised. Pinheiro and others argue that the proposed alignment would have devastating consequences for the khazan fields, an area known for its delicate ecological balance, and would undermine local livelihoods.
While government officials maintain that the land area required has been reduced, the farmers contend that this change fails to address the core issues. “Reducing the land area does nothing to change the fact that this project will devastate our khazan fields and deprive affected farmers of their livelihood,” Pinheiro stated.
The farmers have already petitioned the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which is scheduled to hear their case on December 2. Pinheiro noted that the government has repeatedly delayed filing responses to the NGT since May, creating a cautious sense of optimism that the tribunal might favour the farmers’ cause.
Noel Quadros, a local farmer, also submitted a detailed account of his family’s historical ties to the khazan fields in Loutolim. Quadros cited a Supreme Court judgment mandating environmental and forest clearances before a Section 3D declaration under the National Highways Act, asserting that the absence of these approvals renders the current acquisition process “grossly illegal and null and void.” He expressed frustration over what he described as procedural violations and accused the government of bypassing legal safeguards.
Further complicating the issue, Quadros highlighted the truncated notice period of seven working days, which effectively left farmers only three days to file their objections, due to the inclusion of weekend holidays on November 9 and 10. He argued that this brief timeframe unfairly burdened farmers who rely on daily wages and lacked the resources to swiftly engage in the process. “No amount of compensation can replace our agricultural lands,” he said, describing the farmers’ connection to their land as an “umbilical cord.”
Quadros and other affected farmers have also raised concerns over the recruitment of a consultant, reliance on outdated traffic studies conducted during the closure of the Zuari Bridge to heavy vehicles, and failure to repair existing infrastructure. These actions, they allege, reflect a pattern of “fraud, deception, and abuse of powers” that favours private interests at the public’s expense.
The farmers intend to escalate their case to the High Court in the coming days and have called on the authorities to halt all actions related to land acquisition until judicial issues are resolved. They remain hopeful that the judiciary will recognise the gravity of their grievances and protect their rights over their ancestral lands.
