PONDA: Villagers from Borim and Loutolim gathered at Matyem-Borim on Thursday to voice their shared opposition to the land acquisition for the new Borim Bridge. The residents of both villages expressed their unanimous stance against the construction of the high-level Borim Bridge, fearing it would devastate their fertile khazan lands, kulaghar (plantations), homes and temples. They also raised concerns about the potential for pollution due to coal transportation.
Rahul Naik, a Borim villager, highlighted the lack of clarity regarding the land acquisition process. “Villagers still do not have a clear picture of how many houses and temples will be destroyed,” Naik said. He noted that some homeowners in Murme, Borim, discovered they would lose their homes due to the bridge road demarcation. Naik referenced RTI information indicating that a 60-metre-wide road, with an additional 40 metres on each side designated as a freeze zone, means a total of 140 metres of land would be acquired. He accused the government of planning the bridge and bypass primarily for coal transportation, as it offers the shortest route to the Mormugao Port Authority, posing a severe threat to local fields, villages, and plantations, and contributing to air pollution in Borim.
Naik criticised the Borim Panchayat for not taking a clear stand on the issue. “Affected villagers filed objections but received no response from PWD Authorities,” he added. Naik explained that the road widening would start from Bythakol junction, move towards the hillside, enter the village, and pass through fields and nullahs towards Murme and Loutolim, thus potentially destroying Borim Village.
David Rodrigues, another local, mentioned their longstanding opposition since 2017. “Authorities should drop the plan for a new high-level Borim bridge and repair the existing one with the Rs 20 crore sanctioned by the Central government,” he argued, asserting that the new bridge is intended for coal transport rather than local benefit. “Goa should not become a coal transportation hub,” he stated firmly.
Loutolim’s former Sarpanch, Xavier Fernandes, echoed these sentiments, emphasising that after the government published the notification, villagers in a special gram sabha on October 29, 2023, objected to the bridge which threatens their khazan fields and fishing activities. “On October 31, the Loutolim panchayat informed PWD’s National Highway authorities about the people’s dependence on these khazans for their livelihood,” Fernandes said. He added that several tenant associations in Loutolim, along with around 100 villagers, filed objections, emphasising that around 4,000 people depend on khazan agriculture and fishing. “If people don’t want this bridge and the government isn’t listening, who is it being built for?” Fernandes asked. He vowed that Loutolim villagers are committed to protecting their khazan lands for future generations, pledging to fight the government at any cost.
