PONDA: Tension flared in Borim as residents staged a protest, forcing a temporary stop to the hill-cutting for a road linked to an upcoming ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) project. Furious locals gheraoed authorities, including the Sarpanch, Secretary, and panchayat members, for nearly three hours at the Borim panchayat Office and demanded an immediate halt to the hill’s destruction, fearing irreparable damage.
Sarpanch Domingo Vaz, while acknowledging the concern, deferred decision-making to a scheduled council meeting on August 16.
Following the intense standoff, both the Sarpanch and Secretary left the premises. In an act of defiance, locals headed to Bethki Hills, stopping heavy machinery involved in hill demolition for road construction.
A meeting was convened later to discuss the project. Villagers demanded an immediate Stop Work Order from the panchayat for the ISKCON road, arguing the Rs 2.7 crore project’s beneficiaries were unknown and the construction was detrimental to the environment.
Sachin Naik shared RTI findings that revealed PWD’s investment in a project claimed to benefit 1,500 individuals, challenging authorities to identify these beneficiaries. Villagers criticised the panchayat, PWD, TCP, and Forest Department for allowing land destruction for personal gains.
Rahul Naik stressed the importance of preserving the hill and its forest for recharge of ground water and wells, while activist Abijeet Prabudesai noted the legal prohibition against hill levelling. The villagers remain resolute in protecting their village.
Sarpanch Domingo Vaz had previously stated the Borim Panchayat was unaware of the ISKCON project and that the NOC for the road was issued based on higher authority instructions.
