PANJIM: Residents of Cana cona taluka on Friday unan imously passed a resolu tion opposing the inclusion of the taluka in the newly constituted Kushavati dis trict, warning the State gov ernment of an agitation if the December 31 decision is not reconsidered. The resolution was adopted at a public meet ing held at G M Celebra tions Hall, Shristhal, where villagers expressed strong resentment over what they described as a unilateral de cision taken without public consultation. The resolution was proposed by Anant Agni and passed unanimously. Addressing the gather ing, Goa Forward Party (GFP) general secretary Prashant Naik said the move would severely in convenience residents due to poor transport connec tivity with Quepem, which is proposed to be part of the new district’s adminis trative framework.
He pointed out that while nearly 50 buses operate daily on the Canacona–Margao route, only three buses ply be tween Canacona and Quepem, making routine travel im practical. Naik also flagged serious concerns over access to health care. Under the proposed district arrangement, residents would first have to approach the district hospital at Que pem, which functions as a referral hospital, before being shifted to Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bam bolim, in case of major emergencies — a delay he said could prove critical. Legal access was another major concern. Naik noted that with new district courts proposed in the Kushavati district, litigants would be compelled to travel to Margao to consult lawyers — most of whom are based there — and then pro ceed to Quepem for court hearings, adding to time, cost, and hardship. Several speakers recalled past hardships faced by Cana cona residents when key administrative offices such as the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) were located in Quepem. They said even basic permissions, including approvals for public address systems, earlier re quired travel to Quepem — difficulties that were resolved only after these offices were shifted to Canacona. Speakers further pointed out that ongoing works on National Highway 66 would significantly enhance connec tivity between Canacona and Margao, the headquarters of South Goa district, strengthening the case for retaining Canacona within the existing district structure. Former Loliem–Polem sarpanch Monhadas Loliencar, Shailesh Pagi, former PoinguinimsarpanchJanardhan ‘Jana’ Bhandari, AAP leader SandeshTeleikar, Prashant Pagi, VikasBhagat, Anil Faldesai, Manuel Barretto, Pankaj Nam shikar, and Anant Agni also addressed the meeting. Meanwhile, the Curchorem unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha (BJPYM) urging the government to lo cate the headquarters of the newly formed Kushavati dis trict at Curchorem instead of Quepem. BJPYM president Nikhil Shirodkar said Curchorem was centrally located between Quepem, Sanguem, Dharbandora, and Canacona, and offered superior road connectivity and infrastructure. The State government has not yet responded to the objections
