There were delegations meeting with the authorities like Collector, NHAI at Vasco and even at Bangalore, who were in close contact with those surveyors. After a series of press exposures, the reporters and some newspapers were acknowledged by the villagers in gratitude. Private and government initiatives drew up suggestive plans. There were supportive resolutions by the Chinchinim , Deussua Panchayat. There were demonstrations by the villagers, Rasta Roko and constant highlighting of public grievances, that received active support by the then and present MLA Eng Fillipe Nery and the movement was an eye opener for others on the route. Everybody felt that everyone who matters were sounded enough. Those that followed as our representatives ignored and took the issue for granted. The people on this special stretch have suffered grievously by loss of their habitats and cannot be made sacrificial lambs further in the name of public good The realignment suggested was reasonable and just. When those at Nuvem, Navelim have got their demands accepted, why then only settlements at Dandeavado Chinchinim are treated differently? The movement was spearheaded under the auspices of NGOs. This needed more detailed reporting which was a very rigorous exercise, It appears from the report that previous efforts was a superficial Nevertheless reviving the issue and bringing it light at this time deserves appreciation.
Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim
