Controversial drive sparks protests
CLEARING THE WAY: Bulldozers worked late into Sunday evening to remove encroachments and clear the road in Anjuna.
A year after bulldozers mowed down age-old trees and compound walls in a controversial road-widening project in Siolim, a strikingly similar scene unfolded in Anjuna on Sunday.
The demolition drive at Kumar Vaddo in Anjuna, which saw heavy machinery operate late into the night, bore all the hallmarks of the 2024 Siolim episode. Back then, enraged locals dragged authorities to the High Court over the brazen destruction of property and natural heritage, while the Public Works Department (PWD) disowned the operation entirely.
Now, in Anjuna, history is repeating itself – from administrative disarray to public outrage – with MLA Michael Lobo leading the charge.
Despite villagers’ protests and repeated demands for a work order on Sunday, Lobo defiantly pressed on with the demolition of what he claimed were illegal structures encroaching on public land.
“The order will be produced on Monday,” he told the crowd, asserting the action was backed by a High Court directive.
Sources suggest Lobo was referencing a recent High Court ruling mandating the removal of illegal constructions on road-widening corridors and comunidade land.
However, the case is still sub judice and the Anjuna panchayat had only recently issued notices on May 8 to owners of allegedly illegal structures, giving them 15 days (until May 22) to respond.
That window had not yet lapsed when the bulldozers rolled in on May 11.
PWD Executive Engineer (Roads) Vincent D’Souza denied the department’s involvement, stating categorically, “It’s a panchayat matter. PWD has no role in this.”
This abdication of responsibility by the PWD mirrors what transpired in Siolim, where officials also distanced themselves from the fallout, even as the High Court censured them and the Forest Department for their inaction and complicity.
Anger and disbelief reverberated through Anjuna, Vagator and Assagao, with local residents accusing Lobo of riding roughshod over due process.
“Michael Lobo acts like he’s above the Chief Minister. He refused to halt the work despite our appeals,” said Desmond Alvares, a long-time activist from Assagao.
Heavy machinery remained active at the demolition site well past 10 pm, according to locals, underscoring the urgency – or desperation – behind the operation.
Activists now say they plan to take the matter to court and will seek not only a halt to the ongoing demolition but a full restoration of the road as it stood before.
“We will make the MLA the primary respondent. This cannot go unchecked anymore,” a protester told The Goan.
