PONDA: Bhoma villagers gathered at a public meeting within the Sateri Temple premises to voice their concerns over the proposed acquisition of land for highway expansion.
The acquisition notice targeted 64 houses and two temples, leading to fervent protests. Chants of ‘Amcho Gao Amka Zaay, Amkaa Zaay Pass’ echoed as around 500 locals, supported by MLAs Vijay Sardesai and Viresh Borkar, demanded attention to their plight. Notably absent were local MLA Govind Gaude and the Bhoma Sarpanch.
Responding to a call by the Dhazan Samaj Committee, villagers from Bhoma, Nagzar, and Kali Mati gathered in a large assembly to take an oath within the temple premises. The villagers pledged to safeguard their village and oppose the government’s expansion plans. Support also emerged from neighbouring Kundaim villagers.
The villagers contended that the proposed bypass favoured developers. Deputy Sarpanch Shaila Naik claimed they were kept in the dark by the PWD, regarding the extent of the expansion.
In his address, MLA Vijay Sardesai criticised the BJP government, highlighting its alleged failure to protect the village and its historic temples. He decried the division of the village due to the expansion project and questioned the party’s commitment to Hindutva. Sardesai noted that even the Central government was open to modifying the bypass alignment, but the State ministers seemed to prioritise the interests of the affluent.
MLA Viresh Borkar warned against a potential repeat of past instances where residents lost their properties during expansion projects.
He encouraged unity among Bhoma locals, accusing the BJP of adopting a ‘divide and rule’ strategy reminiscent of colonial times.
