PANAJI: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) on Thursday launched a statewide People’s Dandi March from Velsao, with party president Amit Patkar accusing the BJP government of destroying Goa’s land, environment, and livelihoods.
The march, which will continue till April 6, draws inspiration from the historic Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, the party said.
The protest was organised in support of residents who alleged that railway authorities have encroached on private land and started double-tracking work despite an ongoing legal dispute. Several landowners have approached the District Court, and the matter is currently under examination by the Survey of India.
However, residents claimed the work has continued on the ground despite the dispute.
Sandra, a local, said mud and debris dumped during the railway work have blocked the only access road to her house for over a year.
“For more than one and a half years, mud and debris have blocked the only access road to my house. My vehicle remains stranded, and daily movement has become extremely difficult,” she said.
She added that the situation worsens during the monsoon as the blocked pathway also functions as a natural drainage channel carrying water from nearby areas such as Cansaulim to the sea.
“When the rains come, the water has nowhere to flow. Waterlogging takes place around the house, and we have to hire labourers to release the accumulated rainwater,” she said.
Addressing the gathering, Patkar criticised authorities for proceeding with the project despite the legal dispute.
“When private landowners have approached the court, and the matter is under examination by the Survey of India, starting work by encroaching on private land is a blatant violation of the rule of law,” he said.
Patkar alleged that families who have lived on the land for generations are now being forced to fight to protect their homes and access roads.
“The BJP government is using police force and administrative machinery to push projects without respecting the rights of the people,” he alleged.
He said the People’s Dandi March would travel across the state, connecting communities and highlighting what he described as anti-people policies of the government.
“If the government continues to ignore the voice of the people and push projects through intimidation, the people of Goa are prepared to intensify their democratic struggle and may even undertake a Jail Bharo movement if necessary,” Patkar added.
The march is expected to pass through several areas, including Mirabag, Curtorim, and Vasco, where residents are opposing projects they say have been imposed without public consent.
Several party leaders and activists attended the protest, including district president Savio D’Silva, Orville Dourado Rodrigues, Moreno Rebello, Chirag Naik, Wasim Khan, Olencio Simoes, Sandra Rodrigues, OBC chairman Sharad Chopdekar, Mahesh Nadar, and Nandadeep Raut, along with local residents.
