Fresh opposition has emerged to the pro posed new Borim bridge, with Loutolim farmers rais ing concerns after the State moved to secure nearly Rs 2,000 crore from the Cen tre for the project, even as legal challenges against its alignment remain pending before multiple forums. Reacting to the latest de velopment, Albert Pinheiro, Chairman of the Carbot, Macasana & Bebdo Tenants Association, Loutolim, said the government’s move comes at a time when the matter is still sub judice before both the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the High Court. He pointed out that petitions challeng ing the project are under consideration, with hear ings already held in the High Court where the State has sought additional time to file its replies. Pinheiro said the High Court has directed that any work related to the project must be reported to the court, effectively requiring the authorities to inform the Bench before proceed ing further. He added that the matter is expected to come up again for hearing, and the recent develop ment regarding funding will also be brought to the court’s notice.
He further stated that en vironmental clearance and compliance with Environ mental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms remain key aspects of concern, along with other unresolved is sues linked to the project. Referring to the govern ment’s stated commitment to protecting khazan lands, including the proposal to establish a khazan board, Pinheiro said the latest push for the bridge was “very disheartening” for af fected farmers. “We are not against de velopment, but it should not come at the cost of our livelihood,” he said, adding that farmers would contin ue to pursue legal remedies. “We have no option but to fight it in court.” According to project de tails, the Public Works De partment has submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Centre for the construction of a new high-level bridge across the Zuari river, with an esti mated cost of ₹1,948 crore. The proposed structure is planned as a four-lane, ca ble-stayed bridge spanning around 8 km, including ap proach roads, along Nation al Highway 566, and is ex pected to be taken up with support from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The project has seen a significant escalation in cost and scope from an earlier estimate of around ₹300 crore for a shorter 6 km stretch.
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Land acquisi tion for the project has al ready been finalised, with around 3.5 lakh square me tres acquired across villag es including Loutolim, Bo rim, Bandora and Queula. Officials have maintained that the new bridge is nec essary to address growing traffic demands and replace the existing Borim bridge, which has been in service since 1986. The current structure, measuring about 431 metres, has developed issues over time and has been periodically closed for maintenance and load test ing, affecting traffic move ment along the Ponda-Sal cete corridor on NH-566. While strengthening and rehabilitation of the exist ing bridge is ongoing, with funds being provided by the Centre, authorities have cited long-term structural concerns, including corro sion caused by high salinity in Goan rivers, as a reason for pursuing a new bridge. However, for farmers in Loutolim and surrounding areas, the project’s align ment through khazan lands remains a central concern, with fears that it could dis rupt traditional agriculture and aquaculture systems that have sustained local livelihoods for generations.
