Women and children on Sunday gathered at a large-scale public protest at Chimbel to protect their rights and their environ-ment against the Tourism. Department’s proposed Unity Mall and Prashasan Stambh projects, as experts cautioned that damage to Toyyar Lake could weak-en its function as a natural flood buffer, potentially in-creasing flood risks for sur-rounding areas, including Panjim.
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The agitation has gath-ered momentum with op-position leaders cutting across party lines joining the protestors in a show of solidarity.
It is pertinent to note that several locals have been on a chain hunger strike for the past seven days, demanding that the project be scrapped from its present location. During the meeting, protes-tors strongly objected to the project’s proximity to the ecologically sensitive Toy yar Lake wetland, warning that construction ac-tivity could disrupt the lake’s hydrology and biodiversity.
Speakers cautioned that damage to Toyyar Lake could weaken its function as a natural flood buffer, potentially increasing flood risks for surrounding are-as, including Panjim. Protestors repeatedly
raised slogans such as “Amkam Naka Amkam Naka, Unity Mall Am-kam Naka,” underscor-ing their firm opposi-tion to the project.
The agitators threat ened to intensify their agitation if the govern ment fails to relocate or cancel the project. Al though the Unity Mall is in its early construc-
tion phase, all work has come to a halt following an interim stay order issued by the North Goa Principal District Court. The stay will re-main in force until at least January 8, 2026, amid mounting legal challenges and growing public opposition.
Opposition to the project has come from multiple quar ters, including local residents, environmental activists, and the Chimbel Village Panchayat, all of whom have raised serious environmental, legal, and social concerns, alleging that the project violates ecological safeguards and disre gards local interests.
Prominent leaders and activists who addressed or at tended the probest were Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, MLA Cartos Alvares Ferreira, former AAP Goa president Amit Palekar, and noted environmentalists Claude Alvares and Ramesh Gauns.
Social activist Ana Gracias alleged that the Unity Mall was being developed at the cost of Chimbel village and its environment. She claimed the proposed structure violates local planning norma
“The Unity Mall is planned as a seven-floor commercial building with a FAR of 200, while villages are permitted. only FAR 60. Only two floors will house around 40 stalls for craftsmen, while the remaining five floors will he commer cial, including a car museum and shops. How will this help the people of Chimbel?” she asked,
Leader of Opposition Yuri Aleman alleged that the gov erument was attempting to sell Goa.
“All decisions of this government are against the people of the ST community, which voted for change in the 2012 Assembly elections,” he said.
Social activist XencorFolgi recalled similar protests against a project at Sanccale that were allegedly ignored by the government. He acrused the government of protecting coal, builders, and casino lobbies.
“If rivers, hills, and land still exist, it is because of the ST community. The government does not care for poople; it only works agatust them,” he alleged, citing issues faced by locals after the Mopa airport project
Kala Raklion Maand Convenor Devid Amonkar criti cised authorities for portraying activists as irresponsible agitators.
“We want development, but it must be sustainable De velopment cannot come at the cost of our destruction,” he said.
Environmentalist Ramesh Gains said the project’s name. wze misleading.
“Houses can be protected only if villages are protected Though it it our government, it is being remote-controlled from Delhi” he alleged, stressing that 96 per cent of Gou’v catchment area comprises water bodies that must be safe guarded.
MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira termed the project a “cor ruption mall, warning that it would trigger a water crisis
This project will destroy villages and villagers. The gov ernment has failed to assess the carrying capacity of the state,” he said.
Social activist Rama Kankonkar noted that this was the thint protest by Chimbel villagers, following agitations against the PDA and au IT project,
“The government speaks about 51 welfare, but out of Rs 7,200 crore allocated, even Rs 200 crore has not been spent,” she alleged.
Activist Claude Alvares questioned the project’s viability “Who will come to a Unity Mall in Chimbel, and what will villagers sell here? There is no market. If a mall is to be built, it shenild he in places like Calangute or Panjim,” he said.
AAP leader Amit Palekar appealed to Goans to ensure that the resistance sparked in Chimbol spreads across the State. Visibly emotional, he addressed the gathering while seated on his knees.
“Under the scorching sun, mothers and children have gathered here not for politics, but to protect Goa. This fight is for our rights and our environment. This movement mmst reach every corner of the State,” he said.
Livelihood concerns remain central to the agitation. The proposed project site includes agricultural and forest lund traditionally used by local tribal communities for farming and sustenance. Residents fear the development will de stroy age-old livelihoods and lead to displacement from ancestral land.
With public resistance intensifylug und legal hurdles unresolved, the future of the Unity Mall project at Chimbel remains uncertain.
