Residents unite to oppose road work they say masks land grab attempt
MAPUSA
A growing tide of rage is sweeping across Goa’s villages as unregulated and allegedly illegal real estate development continues to threaten the region’s ecological balance and traditional way of life.
The idyllic village of Assagao is the latest to erupt in protest, with angry residents taking a firm and united stand against what they call “rampant land exploitation under the guise of development”.
Under the banner of the Assagao-Badem Citizens’ Action Committee (ABCAC), over 60 villagers have signed a scathing petition warning the local panchayat against allowing a suspicious road construction project at Madungo-waddo, which they claim is a backdoor entry for real estate developers eyeing controversial land in Survey No 101/1.
“This road is not for the people of Assagao. It is for the builders. It leads to the very land that has been embroiled in a land grab scandal. We will not sit quietly as our village is sold off,” thundered Surendra Gad, convenor of ABCAC, in the petition submitted to the Assagao panchayat.
The petition cites that the panchayat itself had earlier written to the Public Works Department (PWD), stating clear opposition to any construction of the road.
Despite this, work reportedly resumed in April – allegedly by the electricity department – under the pretence of providing access for a proposed mobile tower, triggering immediate protests from villagers as reported in The Goan in its April 23 edition.
Residents recall a disturbing history associated with the disputed zone.
“That muddy trail is not just a path – it’s a crime hotspot. A rape and murder took place here years ago and the case remains unsolved. Now, instead of securing the area, they want to pave the way for developers?” Gad said, visibly furious.
In a rare show of unity, the local sarpanch Hanumant Naik was forced to intervene under pressure from his constituents and halted the construction of the road in April.
But locals fear this is only a temporary reprieve.
The villagers are also challenging the zone change of Survey No 101/1 from “natural cover” to “settlement”, approved under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act – a move they allege was done to benefit private real estate players.
“We vehemently oppose the zone change. Our land is not for sale, and our silence should not be mistaken for surrender,” the petition states.
Just a year ago, the villagers of Assagao, united under the ABCAC, had successfully fought off another threat to their peace – a controversial nightclub proposal that sparked widespread outrage.
Through sustained and determined protests, the community forced the club’s promoters to abandon their plans and shift operations elsewhere, marking a significant victory for grassroots resistance in the village.
Assagao may have once been known as a quiet village dotted with Portuguese-era homes and lush forests – but today, it’s becoming the symbol of a new movement: one where Goa’s villagers are saying “Enough is enough”.
