Team Herald
PONDA: Stating that Bhoma residents are wasting their time on agitations on highway expansion issue, Sports Minister and Priol MLA Govind Gaude said that the people are misled and assured that no temples will be touched as per highway expansion plan.
Addressing media persons after meeting the residents, sarpanch Damodar Naik and NH officials, the minister said, “Only four houses at Bhoma, which will be affected, would be rehabilitated. Bhoma villagers are misguided by some people with vested interests. I assure the people that no temple in the village will be touched or demolished.”
He said, “Bhomkars could not explain as to why they wanted a bypass road and why they opposed the proposed four lane flyover.”
It may be recalled that Bhomkars have been agitating for a long time against highway expansion as they fear losing their temples, houses, shops to the project.
However, local leader Sanjay Naik said ,“We have documents to prove that deities are 400 years old and need to be protected. When I was leader and representing the agitating villagers, I was not permitted by the minister to present our side of the story and so I walked out of the meeting.”
He said, “Bhomkars will declare their stand on the issue by holding a meeting. They are strongly opposed to the existing highway expansion plan and are firm on their demand for a bypass.”