PANAJI
Minister for Public Works Nilesh Cabral has reiterated government’s assurance to rehabilitate the eight families in Bhoma and Corlim, who would be affected by the expansion of the National Highway through Bhoma village.
Replying to a Calling Attention jointly tabled by the opposition bench on Tuesday, Cabral informed the Legislative Assembly that the affected house owners will be allotted rehabilitation plots.
The affected kiosks in Bhoma village “ located in front of the temple in the vicinity of the temple premises, the right extreme edge of the acquisition “ will also be rehabilitated.
“Government intends to rehabilitate the affected kiosks in Bhoma village in front of the temple in the vicinity of the temple premises, right extreme edge of the acquisition and plots for the rehabilitation of the affected four houses are proposed near the Panchayat building. For the rehabilitation of four houses in Corlim village, there is a provision for separate plots at Old Goa. Similarly, the Government is exploring various options to rehabilitate the affected kiosks of Corlim village,” he said.
The proposed Highway in Bhoma and Corlim Village, Cabral explained, is on stilts whereby all highway traffic will ply on the elevated portion while the underneath portion will act as a service road causing minor disturbance to the existing business setups beyond the acquisition line.
The opposition MLAs “ Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Viresh Borkar, Venzy Viegas, and Altone D’costa had raised concerns that traditional residential houses and temples will be demolished in Bhoma and Corlim and moreover, their tradition, culture and livelihood will be affected owing to the land acquisition notice issued by the office of the special land acquisition officer CALA, PWD (Cell), Altinho. The concerned persons will have to appear before the CALA, on or before August 25, 2023 to submit their claims.
Fatorda legislator Vijai Sardesai lamented the government for going ahead with the project despite possible repercussions. “Why are you making it a prestige issue? The project will divide the village into two parts,” he lamented as Cabral dismissed the claim.
The minister further said that the land acquisition proposed and initiated is on the right-hand side from the left edge of the existing Highway in Bhoma Village wherein no temples are affected.
There are 22 structures affected out of which only four are residential houses and the remaining are temporary kiosks whereas in Corlim Village there are 39 structures affected out of which four are old residential houses and the remaining are temporary kiosks.
"No temple shall be demolished and hence the question of disturbing the tradition or culture does not arise," he further said.
