Team Herald
PONDA: Bhomkars, who have been protesting for years against the proposed highway expansion through the middle of their village, once again strongly opposed the plan during Sunday’s gram sabha. They reiterated their demand for a bypass to avoid the destruction of their homes and temples.
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Fearing the loss of their properties, the Bhomkars also called for the submission of the alignment plan for the highway expansion, which would include a flyover and affect their traditional houses and temples, stretching from Kali Mati-Bhoma to Corlim.
The meeting, chaired by Sarpanch Damodar Naik, saw Sanjay Naik, the leader of the Bhomkars, raising the issue. Locals expressed their dissatisfaction with a meeting held by local MLA and Minister Govind Gaude a few months ago, claiming it was illegal. They urged the panchayat not to engage with the Public Works Department (PWD) regarding this meeting.
The villagers emphasised that they do not wish for development at the cost of their village and culture, and that any development should involve the villagers’ consent. They accused the authorities of misleading them time and again.
Sarpanch Naik assured the villagers that a memorandum would be submitted to the PWD, as per their collective decision on the Highway Expansion issue.
The villagers also voiced their anger over attempts by industries at the Kundaim Industrial Estate to create new plots by filling natural water bodies with waste material. They warned that this would disrupt the nullah basin and could potentially lead to flooding in the village.
The sarpanch pledged a joint inspection to address these concerns. Additionally, villagers complained about sewage flowing into the local water bodies and nullahs.
Regarding the issue of the Banastarim market shops, locals demanded that the money paid by shop owners be refunded. The sarpanch clarified that the Court had issued a stay on the auctioned shops. A hearing is scheduled for February 27, after which the Panchayat will make an appropriate decision on the matter.
