panaji
Villagers from Chorao have decided to protest and eventually take the issue of the promised Chorao bridge to the High Court if the government didn’t start the work on it.
The forum has now organized a one-day protest rally at Azad Maidan on January 12 from 9 am to 6 pm to highlight the issue.
The villagers under the banner of The United Citizens of Chorao, announced their displeasure as the government had constantly promised them a bridge that would help them to connect with the nearest village.
“The BJP at the last Assembly election incorporated the Chorao bridge in its election manifesto, where it had promised to lay foundation stone within 6 months and complete construction of the bridge in two years. It’s been three and a half years since the BJP candidate has been elected but there has been no work at all,” said Shrikrishna Haldankar, President of United Citizens of Chorao.
According to Haldankar, the CM had said that land acquisition was the reason behind the delay in getting bridge work started. The forum also threatened to file writ petition in High Court after six months, if the bridge work has not been undertaken.
Speaking to media persons, Advocate Prashant Vengurlekar said amendments could be made to the existing land acquisition laws and allow for faster acquisition of land. “The villagers have had a problem with connectivity for simple things like a doctor and food for the past 55 years. It is high time the government stick to their promises. We will probably wait six months before we go ahead with the filing of the writ petition in the court,” he said.
Haldankar also added that several gram sabha resolutions in favour of the bridge.
