We don't want to touch any of their fields at this stage and we will not do anything against the wishes of the farmers-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Sudin Dhavalikar
VASCO: PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar on Sunday evening said that the PWD would not acquire any farmland on either side of the road between Cortalim circle and Sharayu Toyota showroom for service roads in view of the ongoing construction work on the new Zuari bridge.
The minister was interacting with media persons after he met the aggrieved farmers of Cortalim along with Cortalim. MLA Alina Saldanha was presnt too.
Dhavalikar met the farmers after a joint inspection of roads along the NH17A and NH17B Highways for increased infrastructure to help ease traffic movements during diversion of vehicles plying between Panaji and Margao via Cortalim Circle.
Earlier, the Cortalim Communidade Tenants Association (CCTA), a body of about 250 tenants, resolved not to part with any piece of their land for construction of service roads. Dhavalikar after meeting the farmers and hearing their grievances assured them that no fields would be acquired without their approval and said that 'this was a full stop to the proposal of having a service road'.
Dhavlikar said that in the absence of parallel roads, the traffic diversion would most likely be from Cortalim Circle. "The farmers have complained that their claims have not been settled and I have informed them that there are multiple claimants for compensation. Even now if the farmers produce form 1&14 with affidavits, their outstanding compensation would be settled in the next two months. We don't want to touch any of their fields at this stage and we will not do anything against the wishes of the farmers. We will have the diversion via Cortalim Circle by preparing new alignment of roads and added infrastructure," said Dhavalikar.
Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha said that farmers did not want their land to be acquired though this was one of the alternatives for service roads.
"During the last meeting it was decided that fields would be acquired only if the farmers agreed. We will have to go ahead with the diversion via Cortalim Circle only. Dhavalikar and I had also told the farmers to come with their documents indicating the losses and damages to their fields but they have not yet come. I request them to produce all relevant documents and take the compensation that the Govt is willing to offer," said Alina.
CCTA President Anton Vas said the farmers are delighted after Dhavalikar's assurance of not acquiring the fields. "After the urgent meeting of CCTA on Sunday morning and the subsequent resolution not to offer farmlands has sent a message to the ministers and MLAs that we are not willing to offer our lands for any project. I am thankful to PWD Minister Sudin Dhavlikar who came here to meet us despite our resolution. We had discussions and he has assured all the farmers that he will stand in support of our demands and not cause us any inconvenience in the future as well," said Vas.
