Anjunkars stand up to Lobos over road work

AUGUSTO RODRIGUES

ANJUNA: Just two days after Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and his wife and Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo were confronted by residents in Anjuna’s St Sebastian ward over what locals allege is an unauthorised road-widening project, both Public Works Department (PWD) and Panchayat officials have distanced themselves from the contentious demolitions.

Assistant Engineer (Roads), PWD, Vitorino Sequeira, speaking to O Heraldo, clarified that there is no official approval for road widening in the area. “There is no work order for widening of any road in Anjuna,” he said. Sequeira further clarified that the only sanctioned activity is the “reinstatement of tarmac” in the area where electricity poles had

been excavated.

Echoing this, Anjuna Sarpanch Laxmidas Chimulkar stated that the Panchayat had no involvement in the demolition activities, asserting that letters issued to residents were only to ensure compliance with a High Court directive.

“The letters sent to the people was to follow certain criteria based on a High Court order. It has nothing to do with the demolition. The letter is not regarding any demolition,”

said Chimulkar.

While both officials have denied any role in the current demolitions, the situation has placed MLA Michael Lobo under scrutiny. Despite Sequeira’s statement, Lobo maintained that some construction is underway as part of his Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

contribution.

“I am building the wall for a resident as my CSR contribution from my company. There is no intention to demolish any wall in the constituency. Work was going on to remove stones kept along the wall to enable us to widen the road on Thursday,” Lobo said.

He also claimed that the protests were being incited by outsiders. “People from outside the constituency are coming and trying to create confusion. Come tomorrow when the work starts again and you will not find a single resident along the road protesting. I will be there from 11 am till 5 pm,” he asserted.

However, local residents are not convinced.

Anger is growing against MLA Delilah Lobo, whom villagers accuse of hiding behind a High Court order relating to PILSM/03 of 2024.

Environmental lawyer Marisa Zemira Simoes, who represents Goa Foundation in multiple cases before the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court, weighed in on the matter. In a written statement, Simoes expressed concern about the legal validity of the

ongoing work.

“In relation to the ongoing matter concerning the Anjuna-Assagao area, the situation appears to pertain to a proposed road-widening exercise. However, it is understood that the contractor presently executing or intending to execute the work does not possess a valid Work Order. It is a settled legal position that no contractor is permitted to commence any public work in the absence of a Work Order,” her statement reads.

She further warned against the misrepresentation of court orders, stating: “Furthermore, in the event that any land that is privately held, is alongside the existing roadway and has not been acquired in accordance with the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, these structures on such land cannot be classified as ‘encroachment.’ That would amount to misrepresentation of the judgment, in order to circumvent the Land Acquisition Act.”

Simoes added that if the PWD or Panchayat proceeds with road expansion without following legal acquisition procedures, it would constitute encroachment by government authorities themselves.

Local residents have voiced personal concerns over what they claim are coercive and misleading practices. Janice Plavinkal, a resident whose heritage home lies on Survey No 1395/1, recounted her experience: “My house is a heritage house and when I was told by Michael that my wall and balcony needed to be demolished, I was convinced that he is out trying to cheat me because the land acquisition process has not started.”

She further alleged, “He (Michael Lobo) came and told me that I had to submit a letter at his wife’s office in Siolim and that she would make arrangements for one architect Edgar Afonso to build a new balcony for me. Do you believe the government operates this way?”

Balbhim Malvankar, popularly known as Bolgo, questioned the MLA’s involvement: “How is an outsider MLA interested in demolitions in my village when he himself has been hauled by court?”

An unnamed local woman shared her experience, saying, “The MLA came and told me that one room is going to be demolished and he is building another room for me free of charge. Ours was the first barber’s shop of the village.”

Meanwhile, others have accused the authorities of silencing dissent. “There are some people who have been threatened and hence do not wish to speak in the open. But, he cannot keep all of us quiet. It is up to the people – and not him – to decide whether they want their road widened,” said villager Agnel Fernandes.

“I am ready to knock on the doors of the High Court. If the voice of the people of Siolim was listened to, ours will also be heard,” affirmed Bolgo.