In a decisive victory for the villagers of Chimbel, their 44-day long agitation against the proposed Unity Mall ended on Monday after the State government was compelled to give a writ ten assurance to relocate both the Unity Mall and the Prashasan Stambh away from the village’s ecologically sensitive wetland. The protest, which exposed glaring lapses in govern ment decision-making and planning, was called off at Azad Maidan in the city after the Tourism Department and the General Administration Department (GAD) issued formal letters confirming that the controversial projects would be shifted out of Chimbel. Protesters said the written as surance marked official acknowledgement of their core de mand, achieved only after sustained public pressure. While announcing the withdrawal of the agitation, pro test leaders made it clear that the struggle had merely en tered a new phase and that vigilance would continue. Speaking to reporters, Govind Shirodkar, chairman of the Chimbel Biodiversity Management Committee, said, “To day’s victory is not just for the people of Chimbel, but for the entire State. However, after this victory, the responsibil ity of the people of Chimbel has increased manifold. People will now look up to us as an example. It is our duty to pro tect the lake. This was not an easy struggle.” Ajay Kholkar, a local resident and one of the prominent faces of the protest, underlined how administrative lapses had fuelled public distrust. “We were demanding two let ters, as there was a blunder in the earlier communication. As per the new letter, the Tourism Department has decided to shift the proposed Unity Mall from survey number 40/1 of Chimbel village panchayat to an alternate site. It has also clarified that no construction activity will be carried out and that the land will be restored to its original condition at the earliest,” he said. He further added, “A letter has also been received from the GAD informing us that the government has decided to relocate the Prashasan Stambh that was proposed to be constructed in Chimbel.” Even as villagers celebrated the outcome, the Chief Min ister sought to downplay the significance of the protest. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant claimed the issue had been resolved earlier and welcomed the withdrawal of the agi tation. “It was resolved long ago. There is nothing new. It is good that the protest has been withdrawn,” he said. The opposition, however, credited the reversal square ly to people’s unity and resistance. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao congratulated the residents of Chimbel, stat ing that their collective stand had forced the government to move the Unity Mall project away from a wetland area. He said similar unity was required across Goa to protect communal harmony and counter what he described as the government’s “dadagiri” and divisive politics. The agitation was triggered by the State government’s proposal to construct the Unity Mall and the Prashasan Stambh on survey number 40/1 under the Chimbel vil lage panchayat — land that villagers say is integral to local water resources, a lake, and surrounding biodiversity-rich areas. Residents argued that the project posed a serious threat to a fragile ecosystem and violated basic environ mental norms. The Chimbel Biodiversity Management Committee, along with local residents, emerged as the backbone of the movement, mobilising sustained opposition and drawing attention to what protesters termed a reckless attempt to sacrifice a wetland for symbolic development. Over 44 days, the agitation gathered momentum through continuous demonstrations, public meetings and protests at multiple locations, including Azad Maidan. As public support widened and environmental groups across the State rallied behind the villagers, the government was left with little choice but to issue written assurances and an nounce the relocation of both projects.
Finally, villagers get their order in black & white
