Team Herald
PONDA: Local residents of Bhoma have strongly opposed Sports Minister and Priol MLA Govind Gaude’s assertion on Tuesday that a handful of individuals were ‘misguiding’ the public regarding the controversial National Highway (NH) expansion project in the area.
Gaude, speaking to media, sought to reassure the public that the expansion would not affect any homes in Nagzar village. “I will be at the forefront of the protest if any JCB machine touches a single house in Nagzar,” he stated. He also dismissed criticism against him, noting that the highway alignment was finalised before he took office as MLA from Priol, and accused opponents of misleading locals with misinformation.
However, Bhoma residents were quick to counter the Minister’s assertions. “We are not fools to be misled without concrete evidence,” said one local leader, demanding documentary proof and a clear alignment plan. “Gaude claims he will protest in the future, but why didn’t any MLA stand up when the Khapreshwar temple in Porvorim was affected?” they questioned.
Sanjay Naik, a key figure in the movement opposing the highway expansion, refuted Gaude’s remarks. “Not all villagers attend every protest, but that doesn’t mean only a few oppose this project. Just as not every voter supported Gaude in the elections, not every villager supports the highway expansion,” he said. Naik criticised the lack of transparency, stating that despite filing RTIs, villagers have not been provided with the official alignment plan. “As per the gazette notification, much of Bhoma, including residential areas, is already marked for acquisition. The minister should come with the alignment plan and show it to us to assure us that our houses will not be touched.”
Naik added that the community previously succeeded in halting a similar expansion plan in 2010 when the Congress was in power, and at that time they were supported by the BJP, which is now advancing the same project. “We stopped this project before, and we will do it again. This isn’t politics – it’s about protecting our heritage and our homes,” he emphasised, challenging the government to produce all three planning proposals required for such a project.
“According to our understanding, three plans are required to be submitted for approval for any expansion project. Our Minister should show where the two other plans are.”
Another resident, Putu Gaude, highlighted that survey number 6 – already acquired for the highway – includes 65 houses and a shrine. “Land belonging to the Sateri Temple has also been marked. If the government is serious, let them come to the village, show us the plan on the ground, and clarify whether this is a flyover or a widening project,” he said. “We want a bypass to protect our village. Losing our homes is not development – we gain nothing.”