MARGAO
Beleaguered Loutolim farmers stuck to their stand that the proposed high level new Borim bridge will spell doom for the age-old khazan fields, as they appealed to Union Minister for Road Surface Transport Nitin Gadkari to find out an alternate alignment for the proposed bridge over river Zuari.
The focus now shifts back to the khazan fields as the Union Minister has ordered the PWD engineers to go to the spot on Friday for an inspection along with the affected farmers to explore the possibility of working out an alternative.
The delegation of farmers called on the Union Minister for a meeting which was attended by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira who represents Nuvem constituency, besides senior PWD officials.
Chairman of Loutolim Tenants Association Alberto Pinheiro informed the Union Minister that any attempt to bulldoze with the bridge will spell doom for the khazan lands. “We made it clear to the Union Minister that the bridge should not cross the khazan fields. We insisted that the PWD come out with an alternative that would save the khazan fields,” he told The Goan after the meeting.
Saying the Union Minister suggested during the meeting to reduce the width of the bridge to reduce the impact on the khazans, Pinheiro said, “We made it clear that any interference will destroy the age-old khazan fields.”
“The Union Minister sought cooperation from the farmers for the development of the State and the country. We all said that the farmers too are not opposed to the bridge or the development. We insisted that the government build the bridge by avoiding the khazans,” he said.
Pinheiro said after the Union Minister gave a patient hearing and listened to the grievances of the farmers, Gadkari directed the PWD officials for an inspection at Loutolim along with the farmers. “We will get an intimation from the PWD officials about the timing of the inspection. We will all remain present at the site on Friday,” he added.
The delegation handed over a memorandum to the Union Minister and documents for perusal.
