MERCES: Stating that the highway expansion project is only a ploy to grab land from Goans, John Lobo of Ribandar Chimbel Rakhonn Samiti stated that the government is out to sell Goa to the highest bidder in the name of development.
Citing an example, Lobo said that in Corlim when the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had requested for 10,000 sq mtrs of land, the government is acquiring 20,000 sq mtrs of land.
“This shows that the government, under the garb of highway expansion, is planning to grab prime Goan land, which will be then sold to the highest bidder,” he added.
Lobo was speaking at a meeting called by the Chimbel locals at Immaculate Conception Chapel to oppose the government plans to go ahead with the highway expansion project, which will displace thousands of people and also lead to demolition of several religious places.
“The 400-year-old Immaculate Conception Chapel will be affected due to the expansion, and the insensitivity of the Congress government only goes to show that they care a damn about the religious sentiments of the people,” Lobo said and added that the Chimbel locals will not rest till the issue is resolved in their favour.
Another Chimbel villager Paul Fernandes, who incidentally will be the worst affected, alleged that the government, particularly the PWD Minister, is not listening to the people’s demand to divert the highway because the alternate route will cut the cost to half, which will ultimately lower the commission the ministers would otherwise earn.
Criticising Chief Minister Digambar Kamat’s announcement that the government will pay market value to those affected, Paul posed a question: “Will the market value compensate for the mental trauma suffered by the people who will be displaced from their houses they have been residing for centuries?”
Paul further said that a State government is supposed to take care of its people and not bow down to the Centre. “However, in Goa, the government has become a puppet of the Centre and is least bothered about the welfare of Goans,” he stated.
A local, Eliteiro Fernandes, said the NH4A bypass road should remain as a Major District Road (MDR) and should not be converted into a 4-lane highway as currently there is smooth flow of traffic and there is no need of further expansion.
“If at all, the government wants to increase the width of the road, it can do so by acquiring 3-5 mtrs of land on either side,” he suggested and added that in this way, everybody will be spared. Giving another suggestion to save houses and the chapel in Chimbel, Eliteiro said that a flyover can be built.
Another local, Peter Fernandes, said if the government goes ahead with the project, the Chimbel village will be divided into two and the villagers will face a tough task of travelling from one place to the other.
When questioned, what the locals will do if the government does not bow down to the wishes of the people, Peter said that it will prove to be a death knell for democracy in Goa and the beginning of dictatorship. “However, we will not go down without a fight,” Peter warned. (HD)
Chorchill is out to grab land in the name of expansion of highway and then give it as a dowry to big lips, who will be marrying one of the ghanttis. And the buffalo Cowmuth is supporting him.
ReplyDeleteAre Goans leaving in a Dictatorial or democratic world? The destruction of Goa is gaining a faster pace beyond the wishes of Goan citizens. What are the benefits of the national Highway? They will benefit criminals and drug dealers to move faster. When will the Garbage and sanitation issues be solved. When will the Ghanti Nagars come down and Goa brought to its former glory?
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting and good news to note that many people are objecting the construction of NH. Keep up the good spirit. I don’t know why Chorchill is so adamant, arrogant, naive and so eager to proceed in widening the NH all over Goa in spite of the protests and cries of the common people? Is he to attain the biggest feat of all centuries i.e. to become the richest person on the world? This egos he wants to achieve at the sufferings and tears of the poor people. The overall amount Rs 1872 cr allotted for this purpose is beyond his believes and he wants to make the best out of it before he is out from the next session. He wants that all works of PWD should be commissioned immediately in the sense that no other person can do the job but himself and no one must come his way until what he believes to be a good idea for a work "assigned" to him. These days he is catching the tail of cow muth everywhere he goes so that no one objects to his motives.
ReplyDeleteChorchill knows his time is running out, so while he can he wants to create and complete as many PWD works he can to make hay while the sun shines. Rainy days are not far away for the monkey. It's a pity that he is only catching the tail of Cowmuth and not something else. This is because Cowmuth won't allow Chorchill to be in front of him but only behind.
ReplyDeleteChorchill is counting the days, these are the last days of many politicians including the Monkey Mouse. The dynastic rule of some of them will ultimately end. There will be lot of Alibaba's eating dust, cone the next election and watch.
ReplyDeleteChorchill is adamant knowing that before the end of his current term, he can earn as much s possible so partly, he can spend for the Leitao's election. He has foole dthe Goans enough.
Remember this same Chorchill was objecting the broadening of the highways? Now why sudden interest? Because he can roast the Contractors before the elections?