PONDA: The Bandora Janjagruti Manch (BJM) opposed the construction of the two bypass roads near Goa Engineering College, Farmagudi, on Saturday.
BJM alleged that the road to the left of the college is being constructed to provide access to illegal plots on the Bandora comunidade’s land, while the road to the right is being constructed to facilitate the development of plots on and around land of the Priol comunidade.
Recently, while laying the foundation stone for the roads, PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar claimed that the roads – one from GEC to Priol and the other from GEC to Katamgal – will prevent people from trespassing into the college premises and facilitate the work of the sports complex near the college.
Addressing the press on Saturday, BJM convener Govind Gavde claimed that the PWD is unnecessarily constructing the roads as there are already roads from the college to Katamgal and Priol.
BJM has also submitted a memorandum to the chief minister asking not to waste the taxpayers’ money on these roads, which the Bandora locals allegedly did not ask for. They also pointed out that the expansion of the national highway is already in progress, so there isn’t a need to construct more roads to prevent traffic congestion.
Gavde alleged that elected representatives had pressurized the PWD officials to construct these roads for the benefit of the land mafia. He also appealed to the PWD to stop wasting money on GEC and focus on constructing roads in Priol constituency as many villages there are situated in hilly areas that lack proper access.
