CALANGUTE: The Calangute special gram sabha, on Sunday, strongly opposed converting the major district road between Sinquerim and Arpora into National Highway.
Expressing surprise at the government proposal to convert the road into national highway, a gram sabha member Joseph Fernandes said, “This decision will totally affect the tourism industry as well as the livelihood of the people here.”
Stating that the government had taken the decision without consulting the affected villagers, Fernandes said: “We completely oppose the proposal.”
Jose Braganza, another member, said that there was no need for national highway in that area. “The government should maintain the present MDRs with a little bit of widening and hot mixing,” he said adding, “If the road is converted into national highway, then, our identity itself will die.”
Pramand Divkar, a local, said that converting MDRs into highways would affect the locals, businessmen and the tourism industry. “Whoever prepared this plan, has not studied the routes properly,” he added.
Acting Sarpanch Joseph Sequiera said, “Under ODP, the roads which were of 25 meters are turned into 15 meter and the same roads are now proposed for 45 meters. Also, highways should be connected to each other but this stretch of highway will end at Arpora and won’t connect further.”
“We strongly oppose this proposal and have unanimously decided not to allow national highway on this costal belt of Bardez,” he said.
Around 250 villagers attended the gram sabha and all the eleven elected members were present for the meeting.
