MARGAO: Local activists objected to the government’s efforts to demarcate land for the controversial new Borim bridge and its approach roads. Leading the opposition was Abhijit Prabhudesai of Rainbow Warriors, who argued that the demarcation exercise would damage khazan fields and was allegedly illegal on multiple technical grounds.
Prabhudesai contended that the project violated regulations prohibiting development in khazan lands and alleged that the PWD lacked the required permissions to proceed. He referenced official documents indicating that the chosen alignment was selected because it offered the shortest route to Mormugao Port and claimed that the true purpose of the new bridge was solely to facilitate coal transportation. “Repairing the existing bridge, for which the Union Highway Ministry has already allocated Rs 20 crore, would be a more appropriate and cost-effective solution,” said Prabhudesai.
He questioned the government’s motives, pointing out the contradiction between its claims of wanting to create an Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) state and its actions that threatened to destroy unique khazan fields. These fields, he highlighted, provided livelihoods to over 4,000 farmers from Loutolim and a large number from Borim village. In response, farmers from both villages jointly filed a petition with the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Prabhudesai and his colleague, Diana Tavares, were present at the site on Tuesday and successfully halted the planned demarcation exercise by the PWD.
When questioned about the local MLA, who is also the State Environment Minister, Prabhudesai expressed concern about the apparent lack of environmental knowledge among government officials and ministers. “Their willingness to damage khazan lands with this project demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the ecosystem’s importance,” he remarked.
The activist further criticized the PWD’s plans for misrepresenting and diluting the presence of khazan and CRZ areas. He argued that the justification for the new bridge was based on outdated traffic data collected before the construction of the new Zuari bridge, which had since alleviated traffic concerns.
