Frustration is reaching a boiling point in the villages of Pomburpa, Ecoxim, and Olaulim, where locals are protesting what they describe as the government’s repeated neglect and broken promises. Central to their grievance is a long-standing assurance made by Minister Vishwajit Rane during the 7th Goa Legislative Assembly session—an assurance that these areas would be declared a No Development Zone (NDZ) due to their ecological sensitivity. Despite this, the promise remains unfulfilled, and villagers claim the government has instead enabled large-scale construction projects that threaten the region’s green cover, fragile hills, and biodiversity. Many of these projects, villagers allege, are spearheaded by outsiders with little regard for the community or its environment.
Adding to the tension is the government’s recent issuance of demolition orders, which locals deem unjust and abrupt. Residents fear losing homes and public spaces without fair hearings or proper compensation. Accusations have also been directed at local panchayat members, with villagers criticizing the approval of disruptive development plans while failing to address chronic issues such as water shortages, irregular electricity supply, and poor waste management. Another flashpoint is the road widening initiative, which villagers say was pushed through without proper consultation. The result has been worsening traffic congestion, strained infrastructure, and further erosion of trust in public planning processes.
In response, villagers from all three communities have organized peaceful demonstrations, including marches, public meetings, and formal gram sabha resolutions, demanding urgent action. Their top priorities include immediate implementation of the promised NDZ status, a moratorium on new construction and demolition activities, and meaningful community consultation before any infrastructure projects are approved. For residents of Pomburpa, Ecoxim, and Olaulim, the fight is not merely about land or development—it is a battle to preserve their ecological heritage, cultural identity, and right to self-determination. As similar struggles unfold across Goa, their voices add to a growing chorus of communities seeking accountability, fairness, and sustainable progress in the face of mounting external pressures.