TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: Bhoma-Adcolna Panchayat members along with a group of farmers from Bhoma on Wednesday opposed the demands of another group in connection with a NH4A bypass in the village.
It may be recalled that during a meeting on Sunday, farmers had requested the State government for a by-pass road through the fields to save several houses from demolition.
However, on Wednesday, a number of people attended another meeting called by those opposed to the by-pass road through the fields and demanded widening of the existing NH4A which will be undertaken by the State government.
The farmers claimed that majority of the agricultural land is under cultivation and will affect hundreds of farmers dependent on it.
“Maximum land is under cultivation and it is our duty to preserve the traditional agricultural land as hundreds of families are dependent on it,” said Panch Sunil Bhomkar.
Even as the panchayat has no documents of the proposed road-widening project to ascertain how many houses and religious structures will have to be demolished, Deputy Sarpanch Damodar Naik said they rely on the assurance given by PWD and Transport Minister Sudin Dhavalikar of minimal damage.
“Dhavalikar has assured me that only few houses will be demolished and there is no threat to religious structures. I am with the demand of the farmers to protect the fields,” said Naik.
Incidentally, Naik was also present during the meeting on Sunday and had assured his support. “I had said that we must also consult other farmers on the issue and I did not support the demand for the bypass road through the fields,” added Naik.
“Dhavlikar also assured rehabilitation to those who will be displaced,” said Naik.
On the contrary, Sanjay Naik who was part of the meeting which was held on Sunday accused politicians for politicizing the issue.
“I am also a farmer and on Sunday we had requested the government for a bypass as majority of the fields still lie uncultivated. We should not rely on assurance from the minister as there is no documentary evidence to show how many houses and religious structures will be demolished. If we keep quiet, it will be too late for us to act,” added Naik.
