MARGAO
Loutolim farmers along with the panchayat members led by Sarpanch Joanna Fernandes and the Environment Minister representing Nuvem constituency, Aleixo Sequeira held a meeting with the PWD Principal Chief Engineer and the consultant to find out the best alternative for the new Borim Bridge.
Another round of discussions between the Loutolim panchayat and the farmers with the PWD senior officers is expected to take place after a week.
Talking to the media after the interaction and discussions, the Environment Minister said that the two sides had fruitful discussions over the best alignment that would serve the purpose. He said that various options were weighed by the farmers as well as the PWD officials to ensure that no house goes for demolition and there is least damage.
“We have discussed and weighed various options at our disposal. The consultant appointed by the PWD was also present. Suggestions mooted by the farmers and panchayat would be considered and incorporated so that the alignment of the bridge does not demolish any house and there is least damage,” Sequeira said.
He further said another round of meeting between the PWD Principal Chief Engineer and the farmers and panchayat members would be called after a week. “We expect the consultant appointed by the PWD to incorporate the inputs so that a plan is prepared that will not warrant the demolition of any house or structure,” he said.
When it was pointed out that the farmers have been demanding that the approach road to the new Borim bridge should not be taken through the khazan fields, Sequeira said, “We are trying to work out a solution wherein there’s least damage to the structures and fields.”
The gram sabha of the Loutolim village panchayat held in October had demanded scrapping of the land acquisition proceedings for the new Borim bridge on the ground that the approach road to the bridge has been planned through the khazan fields admeasuring over two lakh square metres.
The gram sabha members have further pointed out that the PWD, National Highway has zeroed in on the alignment without taking the people and the panchayat into confidence.
