VASCO: National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on Wednesday demolished 84 illegal structures at Desterro, Baina that hindered work on the four-lane highway connecting the Mormugao port to Verna.
The demolition squad, with the help of six JCBs, completed the demolition by 1 pm in the presence of over 100 policemen, including senior police officials. The drive was largely peaceful as a majority of the occupants had already vacated their premises upon receiving the eviction notices of the Mamlatdar and Deputy Collector.
“With this demolition, the PWD will hand over the land to NHAI. The rest of the four-lane highway work of NH 17 B will commence soon,” said Deputy Collector, Mormugao Gaurish Sankhawalkar. He added that the Goa State Rehabilitation Board had already allotted the ex-occupants lodgings at Headland-Sada and Katem Baina.
A few of those occupants, however, contested his claims.
“I have proof that I lived here for the last 30 years with my two sons and two daughters. However, the state administration has failed to fulfill its assurance of rehabilitation, and we are now without shelter,” said Shanta Jadhav, a resident of Desterro.
