PONDA: Braving the scorching heat for almost two-and-half hours, Bhoma residents on Sunday strongly objecting to the widening of the National Highway (NH), and in once voice said they were ready to die to save village from destruction and that they will not allow the project in the village.
During the public meeting held at Bhoma, which continued till 1 pm, the villagers, especially elderly women served a 15-day deadline to the government to scrap the NH widening project and threatened to stage massive agitation along with their families and children.
The women said they were ready to die to save the village, and threatened that if there was any move to carry out digging activity for the NH widening, they would lie down on the ground before the heavy earthmoving machinery and lay down their lives. They alleged that the politicians and government are forcing them to come on the road despite objecting to the NH widening.
Social activists urged Bhoma locals to remain united and fight against the dictatorship of the BJP government.
The activists questioned if BJP and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant pretend to be protectors of temples and ‘Hindutva’ then why do they allow destruction of houses and temple premises for proposed NH widening.
Local leader Sanjay Naik said the local MLA and Minister is trying to divide the villagers in the name of supporting their agitation.
Artist Kanta Gaude said, “Forcing road widening projects on the people is sad. Our country is democratic but people are forced to come out on the road. Due to the proposed widening the locals from Bhoma are distressed as their culture, temples and houses are under severe threat. We don’t want development which will cause hardship to locals.”
“The people’s representatives should plan by taking the people into confidence but this is not happening. The development should be as per people’s wishes. Villagers should remain united to save scenic villages,” he urged.
MLA Viresh Borkar said, “People need to fight against the BJP’s dictatorship. The BJP leaders just keep claiming that they are protectors of the temples then why can’t they save the temples at Bhoma and why have they not shown the NH widening plans to the people? They only mislead people for vested interests. The local minister and MLA tell villagers to approach court or plan alternative roads. If such is the case, why do we need MLAs? People should fight for their rights.”
“If we were told only four families will be displaced then why have notices been issued to 64 people? The government needs to answer this question,” he said and alleged that the government will not touch the slums but is out to destroy the houses of Goans.
“All this is done for coal transportation. For the Sagarmala project, all Goan rivers are sold. To save Bhoma there is need for Melauli-type IIT agitation,” he added.
Zarina D’Cruz accused the politicians of being slaves of crony capitalists who have ruined the lives of the common man.
Accusing the politicians of being involved in corruption by accumulating money, dramatist Rajdeep Naik said they are now capable of even buying land on the moon.
He alleged that the BJP has planted their men amongst the public to mislead them by grabbing their precious votes and called upon the locals to remain alert.
Activist Xencor Polgi alleged that the politicians work for the builder lobby and crony capitalists have forced their projects on the people of Goa.
Polgi said he is fighting against coal pollution at Mormugao but till date has received no support from the government. If Bhoma locals want their village to be saved from destruction then they should remain united and fight the battle.
He termed the government’s ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign as fake with those in power working to support coal transportation.
Social activist Rama Kankonkar said the panchayats are powerless as all the planning is done by TCP to fulfil the vested interests of politicians.
The two Panchas Deputy Shaila Naik and Sunil Bhomkar supported the agitation for bypass.
