the goan I network
VASCO
Hundreds of aggrieved villagers from Agassaim led by St Andre MLA Francis Silveira, Agassaim Sarpanch Xavier Gracias and other panch members on Wednesday afternoon agitated and stopped highway expansion works of PWD, demanding clarity on assurances made by PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar.
A huge police force was dispatched to the site to prevent further law and order problems and villagers along with the MLA agreed to get arrested, but refused to allow the PWD carry out works till they got clarity on assurances by Dhavalikar around three months ago.
Agitating villagers said the PWD officials and engineers working in the area were unaware of assurances made by Dhavalikar to the locals and have, therefore, had not fulfilled their demands.
“The villagers had forgone fertile farmland and lost their houses to support development works in the area. The PWD minister had met the villagers three months ago and had assured to complete their demand of an underpass for villagers to move into the fields, while the road was being expanded,” St Andre MLA Francis Silveira said.
“But till date, it has not been done and PWD engineers now say they are unaware of this assurance and hence, cannot act in the matter,” said Silveira.
“Work is going on at another cattle under pass and we had demanded a minimum height of 2.5 mtrs, to enable an ambulance pass through it as the area has a convent, ashram and houses.” “The works have begun but the height is very low and road is made below the land area and rainwater will accumulate on the road during monsoon, preventing us to move in the area for four months,” said the MLA.
“We requested PWD to make changes in the project, but they are unwilling and hence, villagers are agitating along with Panchayat body members as well.”
Silveira also accused the PWD of closing the only internal road in the area without intimating the panchayat or him.
“When we questioned them and asked them for a site visit, the PWD started saying they will get the police and get us arrested, because no one can stop them from working at the site,” said Silveira.
“We told the PWD to give us clarity in the assurance made to us by the PWD Minister. Since the last two months, the PWD minister is not even giving us an appointment and we have followed this up with almost all engineers.”
“If they don’t give us assurance, we will not allow them to work here no matter what happens. We are willing to get arrested but not allow them to work,” warned the MLA.
Agassaim Sarpanch Xavier Gracias said one of the major issues was to increase the height of the underpass, to facilitate movement of emergency services and other vehicles.
“Today, we have come here to agitate against the PWD and have stopped their work. We are not against development, but when we have sacrificed for this development, we deserve the benefits.”
“Works on the underpass is too low and we have demanded that the height be increased to accommodate an ambulance. Though the PWD says this demand wil be fulfilled, work has already begun. How will farmers carry harvesting machines or tractors through this low underpass,” asked Gracias.
