Villagers pass resolution to oppose road work
MAPUSA
The ongoing controversy over alleged illegal road widening in Anjuna reverberated at the Assagao gram sabha on Sunday, with villagers strongly opposing any unauthorised widening activities in their village.
A resolution was passed to reject and halt all such road widening works, citing lack of official approvals and absence of public consultation.
Residents voiced concern over attempts to widen the road from Mapusa to Anjuna, passing through Assagao, without any legal sanction.
“This road widening drive has no sanction from any department. There has been no land acquisition or work order issued by the PWD or any other authority,” said local resident Owen Braganza.
He also pointed out that no financial provision had been made for compensating property damage, including demolished compound walls.
Braganza accused authorities of bypassing the local community, claiming, “None of the local residents were consulted, making this entire operation illegal and unauthorised.”
He further warned against any future attempts to widen roads in Assagao without the prior approval of the gram sabha.
“No such drive, even if undertaken in the presence of MLAs or police personnel, should be allowed. Any such activity must be stopped and reported to the flying squad and Anjuna police,” he added.
Rodney D’Souza, another resident, informed the gram sabha that the widening was causing distress to locals.
He said the Regional Plan had marked the main Assagao road as 25 metres wide long before the area was developed, and that this was done against the wishes of the villagers and the panchayat.
“The gram sabha had already passed a resolution to oppose the 25-metre road proposal, which was later ratified by the panchayat. But the government ignored it and went ahead,” D’Souza said.
He urged the panchayat to propose downgrading the road width in the Regional Plan, suggesting that such a move could ease tensions and resolve the villagers’ grievances.
Several other villagers echoed these concerns, demanding that the widening plans be scrapped entirely.
In response, Sarpanch Hanumant Naik assured the gathering that the resolution opposing the road widening would be sent to the relevant government departments for further action.
The gram sabha concluded with a strong stance against unauthorised development, reaffirming the community’s commitment to preserving the village’s existing infrastructure and environment.
