TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: Villagers from Bhoma-Adcolna have urged the State government to take villagers into confidence before going ahead with the proposed NH 4A road-widening project, failing which they will be forced to come on the streets.
Fearing demolition of several houses, the villagers have also requested the State government for a by-pass road through fields. The decision was taken during a meeting of the villagers attended by majority of farmers from Bhoma.
The villagers opined that the widened road would do no good to the village as a couple of religious structures, apart from several houses, will be demolished.
“A road through the village will affect several residents. Majority of the agricultural land is not under cultivation. There is no access for farmers to bring the cultivated crop and if the road is built through fields it will not only save several houses, but help farmers to bring cultivated crop to the village,” said Surendra Naik, a farmer from Bhoma.
Added another farmer, Surya Bhomkar, “We have already passed a resolution during a Gram Sabha for a bypass road through the fields. I hope our voice will reach the government and our request for a bypass road will be considered,” he said.
Bhoma villagers were part of the NH4A diversion committee’s agitation, which had objected to the NHAI four-lane project and had demanded for bypass in residential areas.
“Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is aware of our agitation and since the State government is taking up the road widening, we hope justice will be done. After our agitation NHAI had kept the work on hold. We are not only fighting to save houses but to safeguard our village from destruction,” said Sanjay Naik, a farmer.
Bhoma-Adcolna Deputy Sarpanch Damodar Naik assured the villagers his support and said a meeting will be organised with the minister concerned to take up the matter.
“As a villager and deputy sarpanch I am with you. Through the panchayat I will request the State government to give us the plan of the proposed road widening project so that we know how many houses will be demolished,” said Naik.
