MARGAO
Agitated villagers of Dandeavaddo-Chinchinim took to the streets on Wednesday to stop the pile testing work on the expansion of the NH66 passing through the village on stilts.
For the second time in less than a week, the villagers stopped the contractor from carrying out the drilling work for pile testing. The villagers issued a strong warning that they would not allow resumption of the highway expansion work unless the authorities give a PowerPoint presentation on the work and accede to the two-decade-old demand for construction of a road bypass.
Accompanied by Velim MLA Cruz Silva, Chinchinim Sarpanch Gerson Gomes, and members of the Chinchinim village panchayat, the local residents assembled along NH66 on Wednesday to oppose the commencement of road expansion work through the village and demanded that the authorities first address their concerns and clearly explain the proposed project.
Silva said the villagers have every right to know the details of the proposed NH66 expansion, including the exact alignment, scope of work and its impact on the village. He demanded that the concerned authorities make a proper presentation before proceeding with any work.
“The villagers have a right to know what is being proposed in their area. A proper presentation must be made before any work is allowed to proceed. The people cannot be expected to accept a project when the authorities have not clearly explained the proposal to them,” Silva said.
Saying they are not against development or the expansion of NH66 but have been consistently demanding that the road be diverted through a suitable alignment so that the village can be bypassed, the residents said there would be no objection to the project if a proper bypass or diversion is provided outside the densely inhabited portion of Dandewado.
The villagers pointed out that the PWD had earlier assured them that their concerns would be heard and that a presentation on the proposed expansion would be made. However, they said that despite repeated demands, there has been no presentation or proper response from the concerned authorities.
Sarpanch Gerson Gomes said the patience of the people of Dandeavaddo-Chinchinim is running out since the authorities have completely ignored their pleas for a PowerPoint presentation on the alignment. “When the government in power tries to bulldoze with projects, this happens on the ground. Last week, we had asked for a presentation, but in vain,” he said.
Outgoing Sarpanch Frank Viegas accused the government of keeping the local residents in the dark over the NH66 expansion alignment. “When the residents have been asked for a road bypass, the government is bulldozing its way with a road on stilts,” he said.
The villagers strongly criticised the government and PWD authorities for allegedly turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to their repeated demands. They maintained that development cannot be imposed without consulting the people who will be directly affected by the project.
