MARGAO: Despite strong opposition from locals and farmers, the Public Works Department (PWD) has decided to proceed with the contentious Borim Bridge and bypass road project across River Zuari.
On Monday, the department will a an on-site inspection, marking another step in the land acquisition process which commenced in October 2023.
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According to a notification from the PWD’s Work Division XV (NH) in Ponda, the objections raised by affected landowners have been dismissed by the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA), with the matter now awaiting final orders.
The consultant firm, Technogem Consultants Pvt Ltd, has been tasked with demarcating the land on the ground, starting from May 13, 2024.
The Land Survey Department will subsequently prepare 3D plans for the project based on the demarcated area.
Various other government agencies, including the Forest Department, Zonal Agriculture Officer (ZAO), and the Building Department, will also assess the impact on trees, agricultural land and structures, to facilitate the acquisition process.
However, local resistance to the project remains strong. Albert Pinheiro, the chairman of the affected Tenants Association, expressed caution about these developments. “Farmers will be there at the site to prevent any damage to our khazan land,” he said, emphasising their unwavering demand to protect their agricultural lands from the project’s impact.
Pinheiro added that farmers had individually submitted objections, which are still pending with the land acquisition officer at Altinho, Panjim.
“During our meeting with the Chief PWD Engineer along with the Environment Minister, we were informed that the engineers would study the alignment again and come out with some solution, but till date, it has not happened,” he stated, highlighting the ongoing concerns and lack of resolution.
The proposed Borim Bridge and bypass road project has faced significant opposition from local communities and environmental activists, who have raised concerns about its potential impact on the region’s sensitive ecosystem, including the khazan fields (saline agricultural lands) amongst other various objections. As the PWD moves forward with the land demarcation process, locals are hoping for clarity with respect to their demands regarding the land acquisition for the bridge and bypass road, which these locals have repeatedly pointed out that it not only threatens their generation-old livelihoods but also their long-standing efforts towards environmental preservation.
