MARGAO
Hearings of the objections to PWD’s move to acquire additional land for the expansion of the NH66 at Dandeavaddo in Chinchinim village could not materialise, with the land losers along with the Chinchinim panch and local Velim MLA Cruz Silva demanding demarcation of the existing acquired area before going in for the fresh land acquisition.
The Special Land Acquisition officer along with PWD, National Highways descended at Chinchinim to conduct hearings of the objections lodged by the land losers, who have opposed the fresh land acquisition aimed at acquiring additional land to build a flyover. Instead, they have insisted that the government build a road bypass to take care of the traffic requirements for the next 100 years.
When the Land Acquisition Officer set the hearing process in motion, the land losers and Chinchinim Sarpanch Valentino Barretto requested that the PWD first demarcate the existing area acquired by the PWD to build the highway in the 80’s. They pointed out that the PWD can go for the fresh land acquisition only after ascertaining the status of the acquired land.
After the meeting, the Chinchinim sarpanch said the hearing will now take place after the PWD along with surveyors conduct a demarcation exercise at Dandeavaddo.
He said the demarcation will unravel the status of the land acquired in the 80’s and whether it has been fully put to use till date. Valentino pointed out that the residents of Dandeavaddo have been demanding construction of a road bypass instead of a flyover in the area. “We have requested our MLA to raise the issue in the ensuing session of the Legislative Assembly. When the Union Surface Transport Ministry is building 8-10 lanes across the country, why is the PWD, NH trying to bulldoze with the two-lane highway at Chinchinim,” he wondered.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva said he would take up the demand of the people of Dandeavaddo-Chinchinim for a road bypass with the government in the coming Assembly session.
